Varner a chance for more PGA glory
Harold Varner III has given himself a chance to win another Australian PGA Championship – the difference this time would be that he gets to brag about it to Michael Jordan.
The former champion is walking the Royal Pines fairways this week in Air Jordans and is the only man on tour in Jordan Brand apparel.
Having become close friends in recent years, Varner is looking forward to catching up with the NBA legend this Christmas.
“I’m sure he knows,” Varner said when asked if Jordan was keeping tabs on his Gold Coast effort.
“I haven’t spoken to him. I see him every Christmas. I’m sure he knows, has an idea.”
Varner, 28, won on the Gold Coast in 2016 after losing a playoff for the title a year earlier.
And he finished sixth at Royal Pines last year to continue a charmed run in Australia, that could continue after he shot back-to-back rounds of 69 entering the weekend.
Three straight birdies got things going early on before a double-bogey after overshooting a par three to find water saw him relinquish the lead.
A neat par save and a chip-in birdie later in the round helped him to finish the day threee off the pace.
Reigning champion Cameron Smith moved into the lead with a -7 under round of 65, while Marc Leishman’s second straight 68 left him on -8, a shot behind.
Jake McLeod followed up his first round 66 with a round of 70 to also be on -8. Leaderboard: -9 C Smith, -8 M Leishman, J McLeod, -7 D Papadatos, M Jager, C Wood, -6 H Varner III.