Brendan Lawlor produced a fast finish to move into a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final round of the G4D Tour’s season-opening Australian All Abilities Championship.
The Irishman birdied three of his final five holes on Friday to card a second-round one-under-par 70 to sit alongside Australian duo Lachlan Wood and Cameron Pollard in Sydney.
Wood, who played alongside Lawlor, carded a 72 to stay in contention for victory while overnight co-leader Pollard shot a 74 at The Australian Golf Club as both target their first win on the G4D Tour.
Starting on the back nine, Lawlor opened his day with a birdie at the tenth but three bogeys in a four-hole stretch from the first dropped him back to four over only for the 26-year-old to finish with a flourish.
Lawlor, who won the inaugural G4D Open earlier this year, finished runner-up in the 20018 Australian All Abilities Championship and is hoping he can go one better on Saturday.
“It’s going to be exciting,” he said. “I think the course is such a tough course that someone even from behind can come, so I think it’s important not to focus on trying to fall into a match play situation with the two guys.
“I’m just going to go out and play my own game, try and make as many birdies as possible and try and take it home tomorrow.”
Wood, the leading All Abilities golfer in Australia, mixed two birdies with three bogeys on Friday, with a blemish on his final hole of the day dropping him out of the lead.
Pollard looked set to hold the solo lead when he made his third birdie of the second round at the 12th before a triple-bogey seven at the 17th.
Tommaso Perrino, who co led alongside Pollard after the first day’s play, sits two shots adrift of the lead at three over, one better than defending champion and World Number One Kipp Popert.
