Lawson, Eccles in late charge to finish inside the cut

LOCAL golfers Deyen Lawson and Ben Eccles had a clutch of late birdies to finish inside the cut at the Australian Open.

Both looked unlikely to make the weekend but held their nerve late to get the job done.

Eccles made birdie on the par-five 18th, while Lawson, who started on the back nine, got his on the par-four seventh before making solid pars to get the job done.

They are both two over after two rounds.

Making the weekend was crucial for both as they are now certain of a payday for this week’s efforts.

Eccles’ comeback was somewhat of a miracle. After bogey and double bogey on the last two holes of his opening round, Eccles started his second round with three consecutive bogeys to slip to six under.

But a birdie on the par-four fourth got his round going and a two under back nine saw him finish the day one under.

Lawson found the sand a staggering 11 times during his round, but scrambled well to stay in the game.

And while his fortunes didn’t really change in his final nine holes, a nice drive and chip on the seventh gave him that crucial shot at a birdie.

The Curlewis golfer was in a positive mindset heading into today’s third round.

“You make the weekend and anything can happen. A couple of low ones, a real low one can get you right back up there,” Lawson said.

“It’s starting to feel better, my game.

“My coach (Darrell Brown) is up here and what I was doing the last month and a half was a bit off without really realising it. He’s come and my swing feels heaps better already.”