Wood, 30, lodged a colourful scorecard today which included nine birdies and an eagle to be 12-under for the tournament – one stroke clear of playing partner and fellow Queenslander Michael Sim.

The pair were locked in an arm wrestle all day and it took a touch of magic late in the afternoon from last week’s defending champion who won the Victorian PGA Championship back in February to break the deadlock.

“I actually hit probably one of my best drives all day up 17 and I had 52 metres to the pin,” Wood recalled of his drive that took an aggressive line over the trees.

The local members were stunned by the tee shot and the crowd appeared to grow by the time Wood stood over his approach.

Sim had put his second shot just over the back of the green and the door was thrown wide open for Wood to take the advantage. 

What happened next dropped the jaws of the gallery.

“I hit a lobby (lob wedge) in there to just try to get it as close as possible. I think it took a couple of bounces and then went straight into the hole,” Wood said.

The locals erupted and the eagle all but ensured that Wood would enter the clubhouse with the lead.  Read more

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