The blustery conditions of the PGA Professionals Championship opening round were a distant memory today, as perfect weather greeted the field for round two on Hamilton Island.

Two-time PGA Professionals Championship winner, Matthew Docking shot the equal low round of the day 5-under 66, matched by Queenslander Paul Hayden, to hold a four shot lead heading into the final round.

He was just one shot shy of equalling his own course record on the Peter Thomson designed course.

“It was nice to get out there in a familiar wind environment today, I think last time it blew from that direction I had a nice course record out there,” Docking said.

“So I certainly had some good memories standing on a few of the tees out there when a few others might’ve found it much more difficult today.”

Although he has won this tournament twice before, with two spots in the Australian PGA Championship up for grabs, Docking said he still feels the nerves even with a sizeable lead.

“If there’s not any nerves on the first tee then I probably shouldn’t be there, you want to feel a few nerves going out there.

“I’m looking forward to having a few butterflies standing over the opening tee shot then hopefully they’ll disappear and I’ll continue doing what I’ve been doing the last two days.”

Docking’s round has him sitting at 4-under, leading from joint first round leaders Graeme Stockley (NSW) and James Hartley (VIC), both on even par in second.

He is now the Head Professional at the Gailes Golf Club in Brisbane though was at the Cowra Golf Club in New South Wales when he last lifted the Dan Cullen Cup in 2015.

“Absolutely enjoying being in Queensland, there’s nothing quite like spending your winters out on the teaching tee in shorts and a polo,” Docking said of his new position.

“It’s a very friendly golf club I’ve come to up here so I’m really enjoying it and I’ve had a lot of support from members while I’ve been up here this week.”

If Docking was to win tomorrow, he would become only the second PGA Professional to win the Vocational tournament three times behind Brad Burns who completed a hat-trick of wins from 2003 to 2005.

Jade Fisher (QLD) leads the way for the female PGA Professionals after firing rounds of 77 and 72 to be tied for 15^th on 7-over. Fisher leads by three shots over Lisa Jean (VIC) on 10-over as they battle it out tomorrow for a spot in the 2018 Oates Women’s Vic Open.

“I’m feeling a little bit confident after today’s round I felt I played a lot better than what I have in previous rounds,” said Fisher, who was the highest finishing female Professional in 2016.

“It was great experience playing the Vic Open last year and getting close to Laura Davies and those players, I’d love to try and do it again.”

The Hamilton Island Amateur Championship concluded today with overnight leader Matt Edwards from the Grand Golf Club on the Gold Coast, hanging on to win after a second round 34 points. Edwards finished on 73 points, six points ahead of Andrew Harvey and Raymond Cook.

For the full list of competitors in the 2017 PGA Professionals Championship, visit pga.org.au.

For round two scores, visit pga.org.au.

For round three tee times, visit pga.org.au.