2016 has been a grind for James Nitties but he has turned it
around and leads the Emirates Australian Open into the weekend.

Playing mini Tours in the US, it was a tough year for
Nitties but he is happy to be home, loving the quality of golf demanded by
Australian golf courses.

Nitties rose to the challenge provided by the Royal Sydney
Golf Club, firing 7-under 65 to lead the Emirates Australian Open at 9-under
the card.

"It’s been a pretty
rough last three years golfing-wise," said Nitties.

"It’s just funny,
playing mini tours this year in America and you’re a 34 year old
and you know you’ve been on the PGA Tour and you’ve
competed on the Web and my game hasn’t really changed
much from then, but you’re staying in hotels with
cockroaches running around.

"The golf courses are very
average on the mini tour level.  This is
the best course I’ve played in so long where you can hit a putt and see
it roll out.  

With two rounds to play Nitties would love to engrave his
name on the Stonehaven Cup but is also happy to see himself round into form
ahead of the Australian PGA Championship.

Ideally he would love to secure a European Tour card which
is up for grabs on the Gold Coast.

"I’ll
take the Aussie Open win.  If you’re
asking me which one I’d
like to win, it would be the PGA obviously," added Nitties.   

"I feel like that if I get on the European Tour, I
could keep my card really easily.  The
golf is a lot tougher and not as deep as the Web and better golf courses.

"But I like the position I’m
in right now.  It’s
been a while since I’ve been up the top of the leaderboard
in an Australian Open or a PGA, so, it’s
going to be pretty nerve wracking out there, but it’s
a good feeling.  It’s
fun to be in the mix at a large event."

A player already to have secured their European Tour status
and experiencing a completely different season is New Zealander Ryan Fox.

He recorded eight top-10 finishes on the European Challenge
Tour, including a win, and represented New Zealand at the Olympics.

Today he fired 4-under 68 to be just one shot behind
Nitties.

"I guess I’ve
played in a Major now, I’ve played in the
Olympics.  I feel a lot more comfortable
at this level of golf," said Fox.

"There’ll still be some
nerves out there tomorrow, but it’s a nice position to be in.

"Whereas two years ago I’d
be sitting up there quite nervous and a bit scared.  So, I’m looking forward
to the weekend."

Playing in the morning field, Rhein Gibson took advantage of
the calm conditions to fire 6-under 66 and rocket up the leaderboard to be
outright third on 7-under the card.  

"My game’s
been rounding into good form.  I played
well last week at the New South Wales Open," said Gibson, who finished tied 4^th
at Stonecutters Ridge.

"I knew you just have to take advantage of the morning
rounds out here.  The greens are soft,
the wind laid down. 

"You know you have to get after it because making pars
isn’t going to get you anywhere."

To the delight of fans, Adam Scott bounced back after
a tough start to his Emirates Australian Open campaign.

He fired 7-under 65, sharing best round honours with
Nitties and moves into contention heading into the weekend.

"I’m not even going to say I’ve got a sour taste in my mouth after 65. I’m very happy with 65, but I
can always do better," said Scott.

"I feel like I wasted three or
four short ones over two days. That’s annoying because they count just the same as all the
good shots and everything, so it is a little frustrating but I’m trying not to let it bother
me too much.

"65’s a good score, and I’d say my workload was a little bit light coming into
this event, so I’m not surprised it’s not 100 per cent."

Joining Adam Scott on 6-under the card are Rod
Pampling, Todd Sinnott, Lucas Herbert and amateur Curtis Luck.

The second round cut at the Emirates Australian Open
was made at 1-under the card with 61 Professionals and five amateurs making the
weekend rounds.

The third round will tee off at Royal Sydney Golf Club
at 7.28am with the lead group of Nitties and Fox on course at 12.40pm.