Australia’s Wade Ormsby birdied two of his closing three holes as he strives for a first European Tour victory in the weather-affected Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea.
Ormsby, 33 carded a second round five under par 67 to be leading in the clubhouse tied on seven under par with Thailand’s Arnond Vonganij, who signed for a 69 on the Blackstone Resort course at Icheon in suburban Seoul.
Three players – England’s James Morrison (66), Sweden’s Alexander Noren (67) and South African Kbe Kruger (67) – share third place in the clubhouse at six under par.
Aussie Wade Ormsby looking to end a 168 run victory drought with a first Race to Dubai success in the Ballantine’s Championship. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
There was a stoppage of an hour and 20 minutes due to an electrical storm and this after a two-hour and 10 minute delay on day one because of fog and rain.
Ormsby joined half of the field in returning to the course early Friday to complete his first round with a score of 70 and then after a short delay the Adelaide-born player headed straight into his second round.
He birdied four of his outward nine holes and while he bogeyed his 11th, the Australian finished off his round in fine manner holing a putt of 20-feet at his 16th and then sinking a 50-footer at his last for a score of 67 and a seven under par total.
The South Korean event is Ormsby’s 168th Race to Dubai tournament
Ormsby’s best European Tour result was joint second in the 2007 New Zealand Open.
However after 13 years in the professional ranks the Australian finally broke through last fortnight to capture his maiden Tour title in winning the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open in New Delhi, India.
“The game is in pretty good shape and I came here after a good few weeks back home practicing,” said Ormsby.
“It’s just nice to come back out and keep the good form going after winning earlier this month in India.
“I found my rhythm out there today and made a few good putts in the wind that always will help.
“But then I three-putted in the rain and just before the suspension and then on return I struggled a little bit leaving a couple shot but then I made two bombs over the last three so that was a bonus.”
And after Ormsby sent fellow Adelaide-born Adam Scott a congratulatory text following his Masters triumph at Augusta National, Ormsby’s hoping to get a text similar text from the first Australian to win the Masters.
“I sent Adam a text when he won the Masters, and I am sure he will be keeping an eye on what we’re doing over here this week, so it would be nice to hear from him again come Sunday night,” said Ormsby.
The second delay to the $2.87m event meant 77 players still had not completed their second round and will return to the Seoul course early Saturday morning local time.
