Aussie Smith in position to pounce

AUSTRALIAN golfer Cameron Smith was one shot off the lead in the Texas Open at the halfway mark of the US PGA Tour event in San Antonio.

Smith shot a seven-underpar second round of 65 yesterday to be a shot behind joint leaders Tony Finau and Bud Cauley, heading into the weekend. Long-hitting Finau stum- bled at the final hole to fall back into a share of the second-round lead with fellow American Cauley.

Finau, buoyed by an eagle at the par-four 11th yesterday, looked set to enjoy sole possession of the lead at the end of the day until he bogeyed the par-five 18th, though he still carded a seven-under-par 65.

The one-time PGA Tour winner joined Cauley (66) at eight-under 136, with Australian Smith in a group of three players one shot behind. Smith enjoyed his fair share of good breaks in his 65.

“It all fell into place,” he said. “Everything I hit, whether it was a rubbish shot or a good shot, went close to the hole.”