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Cam Davis is like a gambler playing with house money in Colorado this week at the penultimate tournament of the US PGA Tour season, the BMW Championship.
Needing to get into the top 50 on the points list at TPC Southwind in Memphis last week, Davis was on the bubble when a double bogey at the 72nd hole could have sent him home for the year.
His post-round interview was full of anger with himself as he watched the remaining players finish out.
But a late fade-out by Tom Kim pushed him back in to No. 49 and into this week’s field at Castle Pines Golf Club outside Denver.
“I honestly … when I finished, I didn’t think I’d done enough,” said Davis.
“I kind of set a mark in my own head, I thought if I got to 5-under for the round, I thought I would definitely be safe and to do all the work that I had done up until the 18th hole to get to that number and know that just I feel like if I played a good, solid last hole I’d be set.
“It was very frustrating to finish that way. I I did think my season and finish there and with all the weight that’s comes with getting through last week and getting through to this week it was, it was definitely stinging and I was probably not in a great place at that point.”
Don’t underestimate the implications for Davis, the 29-year-old from Sydney who nowadays is based in Seattle. Now that he’s in the BMW, which is a $US20 million event, he is guaranteed a start in all the elevated PGA Tour events for 2025.
“My next season’s already sort of laid out for me now,” he said.
“Those big tournaments have so much weight to them. Now that’s missing out on them is a big hit to trying to get to the playoffs next year, so I’m very glad I’ve got that all locked up and it’s nice to know that I’d done enough and I had actually a shot also to spare as well.
“So I’m not as mad with myself now for sure, and looking to try and take more of the first 17 holes of last Sunday into this week.”
Davis has a big job ahead of him if he’s to jump into the Tour Championship in Atlanta for the first time; only the top 30 on the points list get into that event meaning he has to jump 19 spots to take his place in the season-ender for the first time.
The tour has calculated that at the very least, he needs a solo 10th-place this week to get into Atlanta. “I don’t have an exact number,” he said. “Probably top-five, top-three would be enough, but I think setting my sights a bit higher than that would be the best way to go about it, so I’m gonna give everything I’ve got.
“I know there’s not much to lose at this point. The big thing for me was getting through last Sunday and now, just to be here in Colorado, the golf course is awesome. It’s a very different environment.
“In some ways it’s a free hit, but in other ways, I mean there’s so much still to play for, so I’m still gonna go out on Thursday, start trying to start the week off hot and and have as good a week as I can.”
Davis had an odd season, with a win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and his best finish in the Masters, tied-12th, but a slump early in the year.
He is ranked ninth in the International team’s Presidents Cup standings which means that he will likely be in that team, although he refuses to count himself in until he knows for sure.
But he is growing steadily, with an appreciation for “as good a big moment as it gets”, the feeling of contending in a major.
“And I feel like I’ve got a level out here that can win tournaments and it’s nice to be reminded that I can do that,” he said.
“So I feel like I’ve got to keep pushing forward and I can look at this year as a good stepping stone.”
There are three Australians in the field for the BMW Championship – Davis, Jason Day and Adam Scott.
Television coverage begins Friday morning on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
PHOTO: Cam Davis needs to finish in the top 10 this week to get into the Tour Championship. Image: Getty
After nearly securing an historic Australian double last year, Min Woo Lee has today confirmed that he will tee it up at the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne as he chases his first Stonehaven Cup.
A rising star of the golf world who is popular the world over, Lee is the first player to formally commit to the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, which begins in 100 days on November 28, 2024.
To be played at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club, the men’s, women’s and all-abilities events will once again be contested together with Lee hoping to improve on his 2023 third place when he finished two shots out of a play-off having won the BMW Australian PGA Championship the week prior.
“I’m so excited to be coming back home to play this year, and after last summer I know the vibe and atmosphere at the Australian Open will be incredible,” Lee said.
Recently becoming an Olympian for the first time, Lee is now a fixture on the PGA TOUR and has risen to world No.40. This year he is poised for more representative honours as part of the Presidents Cup International team in Canada.
“It’s been a huge year playing overseas, especially representing Australia at the Olympics and being full-time on the PGA TOUR, and I can think of no better way to finish than coming home and contending, and hopefully winning, the Stonehaven Cup,” the West Australian said.
Brother to two-time major winner Minjee, the 26-year-old has more than made a name for himself on and off the course, with his moniker of “The Chef” seeing fans wearing their own chef hats at every event he plays.
Lee hoping his dedicated following will once again be in full voice when he returns to play just his second professional event in Melbourne after he finished in third behind Adrian Meronk in 2022 when the dual gender format was played for the first time.
“The crowds last year in Australia were incredible and, as everyone knows, I love playing in front of big crowds,” he said.
“I hope as many people as possible get around the event and come and watch us play.”
Playing his national Open for the fifth time, Lee, a four-time winner around the world who finished in the top-30 at three majors in 2024, spoke of his excitement to play another Australian Open on the world famous Melbourne Sandbelt.
“Melbourne golf is known around the world, and it is awesome that the Australian Open is back on the Sandbelt,” Lee said.
“Kingston Heath and Victoria are two of the best courses in the world and it’s exciting to have the chance to play them in a tournament again.”
Offering prizemoney of $3.4 million, the men’s side of the ISPS HANDA Australian Open will again be co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour, with the women’s a WPGA Tour of Australasia event.
“Min Woo is one of the biggest names in golf, not just in Australia but globally,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said.
“To have him confirmed for the Australian Open is very exciting and watching him take on two of the finest courses in the world is a tremendous prospect for the fans joining us in Melbourne, as well as the millions around the world tuning in to watch our best players on our best courses.”
Limited first release tickets for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open are available now via Ticketek. Save 20% off all tournament day passes for a strictly limited time.
One of Australian golf’s majors, the BMW Australian PGA Championship, has announced Brisbane will continue as its host city until at least 2025, with the tournament to be hosted at the Royal Queensland Golf Club, the current home of the PGA and 2032 Olympic Golf venue.
The 2025 edition of the BMW Australian PGA Championship will be the 25th in a row to be staged in Queensland and the fifth consecutive year at Royal Queensland.
In 2023, more than 61,000 people attended to watch Min Woo Lee take home the Joe Kirkwood Cup for the first time and more than $17 million was injected into Queensland’s visitor economy.
This year’s championship will again feature a stellar field, with Min Woo Lee returning to defend his title from November 21-24 at Royal Queensland.
The PGA’s Party Hole, which has been a feature of the tournament in its time at Royal Queensland, will return again in 2024. More than 12,000 fans are expected to enjoy the offering on this hole alone, with hospitality suites, grandstands and family areas surrounding the par-three, providing a fun experience for all fans during the tournament.
Kids Day, Meet the Pros and the Callaway Kids Course are just a selection of the other activities that will be on offer across the week.
PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman said: “Our partnership with the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency. has helped to take our championship to new levels – and there’s much more to come over the next two years.
“Royal Queensland has also been a key factor in the growth of the BMW Australian PGA Championship which is now well established as a highlight of Brisbane and Australia’s sporting calendar.
“The club and its members have been very welcoming hosts, and the golf course has enhanced its status as one of Australia’s best, creating some memorable moments and providing a worthy challenge to the elite players in our game.”
Queensland’s Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Healy welcomed the BMW Australian PGA Championship back to Brisbane.
“It is fantastic news that Australia’s oldest golf tournament and real fan favourite will be back at the revered Royal Queensland course again in 2025,” he said.
“This highly sought after marquee event always commands a cracking field, ensuring big galleries are out enjoying the golf and Queensland’s great lifestyle.
“Our visitor economy will also get a boost with visitors chipping in as they immerse themselves in the city’s world-class accommodation and exceptional dining experiences.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Australian PGA Championship extension reflects Brisbane’s status as a premier sporting and lifestyle destination.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and we are thrilled to welcome back this global event to the Royal Queensland fairways in 2025,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Our city’s incredible vibrant precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, West Village and Fish Lane make Brisbane the perfect backdrop for the tournament’s fifth consecutive year.
“This Championship isn’t just a highlight of our year-round major events calendar, but an important economic driver for local businesses, bringing more visitors to our hotels, tourism, bars, and restaurants.”
Royal Queensland General Manager Sean Dobson said: “Royal Queensland Golf Club is proud to continue our partnership with the Australian PGA. The development of this key relationship has placed Brisbane, Queensland and Golf in Australia at the forefront of the map internationally via a telecast that reaches over 250 million people.
“Royal Queensland Golf Club with the assistance of the Australian PGA has through key tournament learnings and ongoing conversations with the PGA and its partners enhanced its position nationally and internationally.
“A key outcome as the club prepares to be host venue for the 2032 Olympics has been the opportunity to leverage all these learnings to start the delivery of significant infrastructure improvements to Members.”
The BMW Australian PGA Championship is co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour and will again serve as the opening tournament of its season-long Race to Dubai.
Ben Cowen, the DP World Tour’s Chief Tournament and Operations Officer, said: “Our members have enjoyed playing at Royal Queensland over the past few years and I’m sure they will look forward to returning to Brisbane once again in 2025. Our thanks go to the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council for their continued support of the event.
“The Australian PGA Championship has served as an excellent launchpad for our Race to Dubai in recent years, and the addition of BMW as title sponsor only elevates the event further.”
About the BMW Australian PGA Championship
The BMW Australian PGA Championship has an impressive honour roll of past winners, including 11 major championship winners – Cameron Smith (2018-17, 2022), Adam Scott (2019, 2013), Geoff Ogilvy (2008), Greg Norman (1984-85), Ian Baker-Finch (1983), Wayne Grady (1988, 1991), Seve Ballesteros (1981), Hale Irwin (1978), Kel Nagle (1949, 1954, 1958-59, 1965, 1968), Peter Thomson (1967) and Gary Player (1957).
The PGA Institute recently named the successful scholarship recipients for 2024, with six new students accepting the opportunity to study the Diploma of Golf Business and Management.
Recently updating its flagship course offering, the PGA Institute’s refreshed Diploma of Golf Business and Management better reflects the current industry, while continuing the PGA Institute’s focus of providing the only nationally recognised qualification in the golf industry.
Three of the scholarship recipients will be undertaking their studies on campus at the PGA Learning Hub in Sandhurst, while three students will be studying online.
Two on the new online students were awarded the PGA Institute Regional Scholarships, while one student was awarded the International Scholarship.
Goodluck to all new students with their studies, and welcome to the PGA Institute!
Diploma of Golf Business and Management – on campus
Zentis Meehan-Laurins
Nick Scalpi
Jedd Di Nardo
Diploma of Golf Business and Management – online
Regional Scholarship:
Justine Fennell
Andrew Lacey
International Scholarship
Emmanuella Luita
Three Australians have vaulted into the US PGA Tour’s lucrative BMW Championship in Colorado this week, including a relieved Cam Davis who fell into the field by dent of a near-miracle.
Jason Day, Adam Scott and Davis will be Australia’s representatives in the tour’s penultimate event of the season at Castle Pines Golf Club, worth $US20 million, while Min Woo Lee’s rookie season in America is done.
The players came to the final round of the Fedex St Jude Championship looking to secure their place for next week, needing to finish inside the top 50 on the Fedex Cup standings.
A top 50 in the Fedex Cup has the added bonus of a spot in all next year’s signature events.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama closed out the win today, with Day finishing tied-22nd to sit at 25th on the standings, Scott rallying with a 68 to finish tied-18th and keep himself at 41st overall, and Lee jumping a few spots to tied-22nd with a closing 66 that was not quite enough to push the West Australian into the field for next week.
He completed his debut season ranked 60th on the standings.
But it was Davis who had the drama-filled day, finishing with a potentially-calamitous double bogey at the 72nd hole that left him vulnerable.
Ultimately a late fade-out by Tom Kim, who finished bogey-double-double, pushed Davis back in at No. 49 in the standings and he will now tee it up next week as well as having a start in the big events in 2025.
“I’ve done it every year for the last three years,” said the Sydneysider. “I feel like I’m constantly in this position where you’ve had a good season but still a little low missing next year, which doesn’t feel right, and it’s extra frustrating right now that I finished the way I did after playing the way I did all the way up until that point.
“I had a feeling if I parred the last, I would have been fine.”
Elsewhere lefty Richard Green came close to winning his first tournament on the PGA Tour Champions in Canada, a bogey at the 17th hole costing him dearly.
Green finished outright second and picked up more than $US200,000 in prizemoney. It was his fourth runner-up finish in his first season.
On the PGA Tour Americas, Australian Grant Booth was runner-up while on the LPGA Tour, Gabriela Ruffels logged a top-10 at the Scottish Open ahead of this week’s AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews, the final major of the women’s season.
PHOTO: Cam Davis plays his way into the next round of playoffs at TPC South Wind. Image: Getty
Results
PGA TOUR
Fedex St Jude Championship
TPC South Wind, Memphis, Tennessee
PGA Tour Champions
Rogers Charity Classic, Canyon Meadows CC, Canada
LPGA Tour/Ladies European Tour
ISPS HANDA Scottish Open
Dundonald Links, Scotland
PGA Tour Americas
Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open
Elk Ridge Resort, Canada
DP World Tour
D+D REAL Czech Masters
PGA National Oaks, Prague
LIV Golf League
Greenbrier Golf Club, West Virginia
Epson Tour
Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic
Pendleton, Oregon
Korn Ferry Tour
Magnit Championship
Metedeconk National Golf Club, New Jersey
European Legends Tour
Zambia Legends Championship
Bonanza Golf Club, Zambia
Challenge Tour
Vierumäki Finnish Challenge
Vierumäki Resort, Finland
LET Access Series
Destination Gotland Ladies Open
Gumbalde Resort, Sweden
1 – Kajsa Arwefjall (Sweden) 67-67-73 – 207
50 Wenyung Keh (NZ) 70-75-76 – 221
MC Munchin Keh (NZ) 75-76 – 151
Queenslander William Bruyeres claimed his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australia win today at Royal Port Moresby, fighting back from five shots back early in the final round to snare the 2024 PNG Open.
Bruyeres carded a 4-under 68 on the final day to finish his week at 17-under-par, holding off runner-up James Conran (NSW) by two shots, with overnight leader Andrew Campbell in solo third at 14-under.
While a first win on Tour was always going to be a memorable one, Bruyeres’ connection to PNG made it more the special. His grandfather spent a lot of time in the country and is buried there.
“My dad was sending me pictures of all the trophies my grandpa had won here and leading into the event, it just kind of felt more special to me,” he said.
With only one prior top-10 finish on Tour, Bruyeres was in an unusual position as he came down the stretch on Sunday, but he birdied three of his final five holes to claim his debut win, and secure his Tour card for the next two seasons.
“It feels amazing, absolutely amazing, what an experience,” said an ecstatic Bruyeres post-round.
“Today was an up and down day and I didn’t play my best golf, but I got it around and at the end of the day it ended up working out for me.
“I’m now locked into the winners’ category and have a card for a couple of years, plus financial backing now. This was huge for me so absolutely stoked.”
With one of the rounds of the day on Saturday, a 7-under-par 65, Bruyeres found himself in the final group on Sunday, starting just a shot back of leader Campbell, but an early double-bogey meant the 28-year-old based at Brookwater Golf and Country Club had a fight on his hands from the get-go.
Eventual runner-up Conran made the early move going out in 5-under, and looked like he might run away with the trophy and the biggest win of his career.
Shrugging off the double-bogey quickly though, Bruyeres was able to get his PNG Open quest back on track, helped too by a stroke of luck on the par-5 ninth.
“My ball rolled into a hole, so I had to play it where it was, hit it, and it skipped and one hopped in,” he said of an unlikely eagle.
“That was a bit of luck, but it still went in so I took it and kept going.”
As both Conran and Campbell dropped multiple shots on the back nine, Bruyeres kept making birdies, and by the time he stood on the par-3 18th tee the Queenslander held a two-shot lead.
The buffer allowed Bruyeres the comfort of making a bogey on the 72nd hole and still secure the first title of the 2024/25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season.
The Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia next heads to Kalgoorlie Golf Club for the CKB WA PGA Championship presented by TX Civil & Logistics, starting on October 10.
Profile of our winner:
William Bruyeres
Date of Birth: July 27, 1996
Current Tours: Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia
Birthplace: Logan (Qld)
Residence: Brookwater (Qld)
Turned pro: 2020
Coach: Richard Woodhouse
Junior club: Logan Golf Club
Current club: Brookwater Golf and Country Club
Bruyeres first started golf at age 13 and it only took him a couple of years before he broke par for the first time.
He attended, and played golf at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
After playing his first Tour events in 2020, his best performances so far have included a T10 at the 2023 PNG Open and T14 at the 2023 NZ PGA Championship.
His first adidas Pro-Am Series win came at Lane Cove in Sydney in 2022.
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia wins:
2024 PNG Open
OWGR ranking: https://www.owgr.com/playerprofile/william-bruyeres-27485
The name at the top of the PNG Open leaderboard changed countless times on moving day, but Andrew Campbell has held onto the solo lead heading into the final round of the opening event of the 2024/25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season.
After a day three 3-under 69, Campbell (NSW) is on top at 14-under, with William Bruyeres (QLD) and James Conran (NSW) tied second at 13-under.
PNG specialists Brett Rankin (QLD) and Peter Cooke (SA) find themselves at 12 and 11-under respectively, with New Zealander James Hydes joining Cooke in a share of fifth at 11-under.
Despite the battle for top spot playing out behind him, Tour veteran Anthony Choat had the highlight of day three, making a hole-in-one at the 153-metre par-3 18th at Royal Port Moresby, the ace pocketing the New South Welshman a cool AUD$19,000.
It comes just weeks after 46-year old Choat made his first ever hole-in-one at the Tin Can Bay Pro-Am, when it rains it pours!
Campbell got to work consolidating his 36-hole lead early, getting to 3-under on his day after six holes.
Bogeys at eight and nine brought Campbell back to the rest of the field as he made the turn though, as the name at the top of the leaderboard continued to update.
A flawless back-nine, with back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15, showed Campbell, and his quest for a first tour win was not going down without a fight.
“I’m feeling good,” said Campbell. “I played really solid again today, I just did me really well again, and that’s all I’m trying to do today and tomorrow.
“I had one (54-hole lead) last year, so I’ve been in this position before and I know what to expect tomorrow.
“I’m just going to go out there and again, do myself and go through my process to the best of my ability.”
With a lot of players within a few shots of his lead, Campbell knows that anything can happen on Sunday, and to expect someone to make a charge ahead of him.
“There’s a lot of good players out here, but like I said before, I just got to go through my process and stick to my game.
“I know what I can do and what I’m capable of doing around this course, so I’ll just, like I said, stick to my process and just keep doing my thing, play my own game and see what happens on 18.”
Bruyeres shot the equal low round of the day, a 7-under 65, rightfully earning him a share of second heading into the final round.
“I sadly had gastro yesterday, so I spent most of the night before the round up in the bathroom,” said Bruyeres.
“I felt horrible going on the course, and was really happy to shoot under par yesterday.
“I knew I was playing well and if I was healthy today I could go shoot something low, and I did.
“Momentum’s always a big thing, so to have a good start to the season’s always good.”
Adam Henwood converted his rich vein of ball-striking form into another PGA Legends Tour victory today, coming from behind to win the Tropics Legends Pro-Am in Townsville.
Beginning the day in a share of fourth, three strokes behind overnight leader Andre Stolz, Henwood produced the lowest round of day two, a 3-under-par 68, to finish at 5-under for the 36 holes, overhauling the Order of Merit leader who followed his opening 66 with a 72.
Christopher Taylor, who won the first leg of the Townsville double at Rowes Bay on Tuesday, was outright third at -2 after two rounds of 70.
Despite not being happy with his putting, and trying to master a new green reading process, Henwood has now won four times on the PGA Legends Tour this year, including two in August, to be fifth on the Order of Merit.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Henwood was the only player to break 70 today.
The Victorian kept himself in contention by being even-par through his first 11 holes before making his move after seeing he was closer to the lead than he thought, snaring a birdie on the 12th and picking up back-to-back shots on the 14th and 15th.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Henwood said: “I played really nice both days but couldn’t make too many putts. Just ground it out and tried not to get too angry at myself.
“When I noticed Stolzy was going backwards I thought ‘here’s an opportunity, I’m hitting it good enough’. I made a couple of five-footers. It doesn’t sound like much but it’s all that was needed.
“When I had a look at the scores on the 11th tee, I didn’t actually think I was anywhere near the lead and it was ‘hang on I’m only one back’.
“I took everything on, had a good crack and hit some great shots down the stretch.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
137: Adam Henwood (Vic) 69-68
138: Andre Stolz (Qld) 66-72
140: Christopher Taylor (Qld) 70-70
141: Steve Conran (NSW) 69-72
142: Marcus Cain (Qld) 68-74; Murray Lott (Qld) 68-74
143: Brad Burns (Qld) 73-70; Russell Swanson (Qld) 70-73
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Tour has a short break before one of the highlights of the year, the $80,000 PNG Senior Open at Lae Golf Club on September 6-8
A birdie blitz on his back nine allowed NSW professional Aaron Townsend to overcome a rough start and some inner-doubts to grab a two-stroke win at the Gunnedah Golf Lion Co Pro-Am today.
After a double-bogey on his first hole, Townsend fought back to post a 4-under-par 66 at Gunnedah Golf Club in the north-west of New South Wales to head Jayden Cripps (68) and Darcy Boyd and Hayden Gulliver who shared third on 1-under.
The victory ended a run of six runner-up finishes in adidas PGA Pro-Am Series events since the 43-year-old’s last win in 2020.
However there had been signs in the recent NSW Open qualifier events that a win may not be far away, including finishing in a share of fourth in the South-West Rocks Open.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Townsend made a mess of his opener, taking six shots at the 400-metre 10th, and turned in 2-over 36.
His second nine was full of fireworks, however, with birdies at 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 as he came home in just 30 strokes.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It was a little bit of a setback, I’m not going to lie. I didn’t hit too many bad shots either. It was a strong hole to start on,” Townsend said of his early slip-up.
“The boys I played with were a bit shocked as well. I thought if I just hung in there a few birdies might come and it didn’t really happen on that nine.
“I caught fire a bit starting the second nine.
‘I played nicely in all those NSW Open qualifiers and found myself in positions where I was close to winning and didn’t finish it how I liked. I thought to myself ‘have I forgotten how to do this, how to close out events’. It’s nice to get it done. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a win.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
66: Aaron Townsend (NSW)
68: Jayden Cripps (NSW)
69: Darcy Boyd (NSW), Hayden Gulliver (NSW)
70: Danni Vasquez (NSW), Mitchell Brown (NSW), Belinda Diamond (NSW), Cameron Bell (Vic), Aaron Maxwell (ACT)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series moves to the NSW North Coast for the Better Homes Port Macquarie Pro-Am on Tuesday-Wednesday next week followed by the Hawks Nest Beachside Apartments Pro-Am on Friday-Saturday.
Plenty of low scoring was produced on day two of the PNG Open, but it is New South Welshman Andrew Campbell who sits alone atop the leaderboard at the halfway mark at Royal Port Moresby.
Searching for his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia win after a string of top-10s last season, Campbell was one of six players to card a 7-under 65 today to move to 11-under for the week, one shot ahead of James Conran (NSW).
New Zealander James Hydes sits in third alone at 9-under, with Daniel Fox (WA) a further shot back at 8-under after a 65 of his own today.
West Australian Braden Becker heads up a strong group of players tied seventh at 7-under after an albatross on the par-5 first hole kickstarted an incredible 7-under 30 on his second nine.
Although he enjoyed a breakout season on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia last summer, including six top-10 finishes, a win eluded Campbell who ended the campaign in 14th on the Order of Merit.
“I got off to a good start and gave myself a lot of chances early,” Campbell said.
“Didn’t quite make that many putts but I managed to turn 1-under and then sort of just got on a run on the back nine.”
Starting his day on what has proved to be a more difficult back nine, the 34-year-old was able to capitalise on scoring opportunities in the latter part of his round, going 6-under on Royal Port Moresby’s front nine.
His surge up the leaderboard included seven threes in a row from the third to the eighth.
“Just really happy with where I’m at. I was putting it quite well and just hitting a lot of good shots, giving myself chances, which is the main thing you got to do around here,” he said.
“I feel like I’m in a great place with my game, a great place mentally, so just got to put myself in the fight. That’s all, I know I’m good enough to win.”
Second-placed Conran’s 65 included eight birdies with just the sole bogey at the par-4 seventh.
“I drove it in play for most of the day where you need to on those short par-4s, got it up next to the green and hit a few good chips and had tap-in birdies, then sort of just kept it going into the back nine,” said Conran.
“A good finish is pretty pivotal for me because I’m not actually a part of the tour this year.
“I’ve got a full membership category, so I don’t have that guaranteed start to each event. It’s nice to get a good week going here. I mean, a win would be great.”
Papua New Guinea amateur Morgan Annato fought hard today in his national open, carding a 1-under 71 to make the cut on the number at even-par.
Notable players to miss the cut included 2023 Webex Players Series South Australia winner Austin Bautista, as well as last year’s PNG Open runner-up Jack Murdoch.
