Aggression to the fore
IT took him two days to get here and he has no expectation but that may be working in the favour of defending champion Matthew Griffin.
Griffin finished the second round on 10 under after scoring a 67 at Millbrook yesterday. Griffin (33) only arrived at the course on Wednesday, having flown in from Mexico, where he competed in a World Golf Championship event.
The Victorian, though, has shrugged off the tiredness and is right in the reckoning, sitting sixth, six shots behind leader Brad Kennedy.
‘‘It was good to back up. It is always difficult when you go late-- early, especially after the travel. I probably got a bit tired in the second nine. I started really well but probably did not putt as well near the end,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m surprised I’m feeling really good at this stage. I had two good nights’ sleep, which has been important. But if I’m in the mix it will give me some real energy.’’
Griffin said the only other time he flew in the day before a tournament was in New Caledonia and he ended up winning, which was a good omen.
‘‘It was a bit of unknown. Maybe it took a bit of the pressure off me. I knew I was playing well, even though I did not get the result last week in Mexico, I felt I was playing well. The score is not surprising but given the travel and that, it is.’’
He would draw on his experience from last year for the next two rounds.
‘‘Last year I was nice and aggressive and I think that was the good thing about last year. I cleared out and turned it into a bit of matchplay.’’
Conditions were once again top drawer and helped everyone’s game.
‘‘I’ve never seen two days as good as this for golf. If the weather stays this way there will be some [good] scoring over the weekend.’’
The onus over the weekend would be on putting, especially if the weather stayed fine and calm.
‘‘You are going to have to shot two low ones to be in contention, so that means you’ll have to be aggressive.’’
American Corey Pavin was the last champion to defend his title in 198485.
in Queenstown