‘The Rummy & Ronnie Show’ ala Brett Rumford and super caddy John ‘Ronnie’ Roberts are again full steam ahead as evident after two rounds of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
The duo combined for Rumford to move into a clubhouse share of third place with scores of 66 and 69 for nine under par tally on next year’s Ryder Cup PGA Centenary course host venue.
‘The Rummy & Ronnie Show’ again full steam ahead after running slightly off the rails in the States. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
It left the Australian golfer trailing just five shots behind 43-year old Argentina-born Ricardo Gonzalez who has opened a three shot lead over the field with two rounds of 65 for a 14-under par tally.
Rumford capped his second round with a 16th hole eagle ‘three’ that he was playing as his sixth hole where he hit a 4-iron to 18-feet and drained the putt.
“I haven’t played myself out of the tournament but then I haven’t extracted the best out of my game just yet but it’s close,” he said.
“The way the golf course is set-up lends itself to good scoring. I had a lot of good putts today that rimmed the hole today and hopefully it will make for a good weekend.
“I need to work on my putting and my driver this afternoon because I didn’t have that time after finishing late yesterday.
“But the goal now over the weekend is to get myself in front and stay in front.
It is a welcome return to form for Rumford after a disappointing two week spell in the States when he f’inished well down in the ‘no cut’ WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and then missed the weekend rounds of the following weeks PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
And after Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley spoke of ‘horses for courses’ on the eve of the event, Rumford has again shown his fondness for Europe to be well in contention for a third victory this year after winning the back-to-back Ballantine’s Championship and Volvo China Open earlier this year.
It also will not be lost on Rumford that the Gleneagles course is where reigning Masters champion, Adam Scott first won on European soil in capturing the 2002 tournament.
As well, the PGA Centenary course is just minutes away from former long time World No. 1 and fellow Australian, Greg Norman also won his maiden European Tour event – 1977 Martini International.
