Wright up by Two at Australian Masters


Michael Wright followed up his opening 5-under 67 with a 68 to take the halfway lead in the Australian Masters. The PGA Tour of Australasia event began Thursday at Metropolitan Golf Club near Melbourne.

The 40-year-old Wright, a three-time winner on the Australasian circuit, carded four birdies Friday to reach 9-under 135, two shots clear of fellow Aussies Paul Spargo (67) and three ahead of touring pro Richard Green (67) and 22-year-old amateur Todd Sinnott, who's posted impressive rounds of 67 and71.

Wright began the second tied for the lead with Steven Bowditch, Stephen Allan and Sinnott.

After starting with a 73, two-time defending champion Adam Scott went 4-under par Friday and trails Wright by six strokes. After posting three birdies, an eagle on the par-5 eighth and a bogey on the front nine, the No. 2-ranked Scott could only manage a birdie and a bogey coming home.

Still, the Adelaide native saw some good things. "There were some positive signs early, some putts went in on the front, and I feel like I created some chances," said the 2013 Masters champion. "It was a bit slow on the back nine. I was disappointed. I have been working on a few things with the wedges, and I may have more work to do."

Wright said he can't worry about Scott - the first Australian to ever win a green jacket at Augusta National - or anyone else in the field. "I'm not concerned what (Scott is) doing," said Wright. "Obviously he's a fantastic player and I would expect him to play well over the weekend, but I expect myself to play well, too."

Sharing fifth at 139 are Matthew Guyatt and Anthony Houston; tied for seventh another shot back are Matthew Griffin, Mathew Goggin, Josh Younger, Geoff Ogilvy and Allan, who had a 73.

The top-seeded non-Australian headed into the weekend is Canada's Riley Wheeldon, who's tied for 12th with Scott and six others.

American Kyle Stanley shot a 73 after opening with a 69 and is tied for 20th at 2-under with nine others, including Bowditch, who struggled to a 75 on Friday.

The 36-hole cut was set at 2-over 146.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/leaderboard?season=2014&tour=pga&id=1075#holes10-18-006720.