For the second consecutive year, Damon Stephenson leads the Zigcrete QLD PGA Associate Championship at Windaroo Lakes after 36 holes. The associate professional from Gainsborough Greens built on his initial round of 67 with a 69, placing him at 10-under-par for the tournament. He holds a three-shot lead over Lachlan Chamberlain from ACT, who posted rounds of 69 and 70.
Reflecting on last year’s event where he led by four shots at the halfway point but finished third, Stephenson expressed confidence in his current form. “Everything’s in a good spot,” said the 32-year-old. “Head feels good, swing feels good. Last year was last year, this year’s this year so it is just going to be about staying present, staying patient and just trying to execute my game plan.”
Stephenson has achieved 13 birdies across the first two rounds but mentioned that the par-5s have been more challenging compared to last October’s championship. “A lot of the fives, which were probably iron into last year, are now either a 3-iron hybrid or a 3-wood,” he explained. “It’s more about leaving those approaches in the right spot around the greens to give yourself an easy up and down.”
Chamberlain is competing at Windaroo Lakes for the first time and aims to be competitive in the remaining rounds. “It’s my first time seeing the course and I’m enjoying it,” he stated. “Getting used to the grain has been a little bit tricky coming from Canberra so that’s been a bit of an adjustment.”
Jordan Rooke made significant progress in round two with a score of 4-under-par 69 after an opening round of 79, moving him into joint 13th place.
Supported by Brisbane-based concreting company Zigcrete, this year’s championship offers minimum total prize money of $47,500 and is recognized as one of the most prestigious tournaments for aspiring PGA Professionals.
Leaderboard:
1 Damon Stephenson – 67-69 (136)
2 Lachlan Chamberlain – 69-70 (139)
3 Beau Lavery – 69-71 (140)
4 Jack Wright – 70-72 (142)
T5 Drew Herbert – 72-71 (143)
T5 Dylan Knox – 73-70 (143)
T7 Bronson White – 69-76 (145)
T7 Justin Morley – 71-74 (145)
T7 Minami Inoue – 75-70 (146)
