Lyras leads Vic Open field into the weekend

A LATE afternoon swim in the surf freshened Sydney golfer John Lyras for his bid to hang tough at the Vic Open at 13th Beach today (Friday, February 11).

Lyras took advantage of a morning tee time for his second round to shoot a six-under 66 to add to his opening 64 to be 14-under, three shots ahead of the field heading into the weekend.

“This is why you play golf. It’s where we want to be. You can’t get tired of it if you love the game of golf this much,” he said.

Lyras, a member at St Michael’s Golf Club, has his father and trainer join himself and caddie to enjoy a fun week in the sun and surf.

“We’re having a good time, keeping it light. We went down to Barwon Heads for a quick swim (after the opening round on Thursday). Just trying to do the right things, trying to treat it like a major tournament,” he said.

“I’ve played a bunch of really good back-to-back rounds at my home club, but you don’t get these conditions.

“In terms of pure golf, this is probably the best two rounds of golf I’ve played, so I’m just really happy it has come at a good time.”

A late-starter in the professional game, he played cricket up to second grade level with the University of New South Wales until he completed high school before switching sports.

The closest chasers to Lyras for Saturday’s third round are NSW’s Dimi Papadatos at -11 after rounds of 65 and 68, with Victorian Cameron John (66, 68) and Queensland’s Jake McLeod (67, 67) a shot further back.

John is rebooting his young career with the assistance of a sports psychologist from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs after an eight-month break from the game.

“Since I’ve had a bit of a breather it was probably the best thing for me. It’s great when you’re playing well, but it’s not always going to go your way It’s something I’ve been working on, just trying to be happy,” he said.

Queensland’s Aaron Pike and Victorian trio Matthew Griffin, Zach Murray and Josh Younger are tied fifth, five shots back and still right in contention.

Home state favourite Geoff Ogilvy birdied the Beach’ courses par-five final hole for a one-under 71 to sit at -2 and safely inside the halfway cut.

A West Australian golfer heads the Vic Open women’s leaderboard after two rounds, but it’s not major winner Hannah Green.

Whitney Hillier upstaged her better-known colleague, adding a five-under 68 to an opening 67 to sit at at 10-under 145 on Friday, two shots clear of the field.

Green had a chance to join her former state teammate, but a six-metre eagle putt on the final hole slid past the cup and she missed the next one to settle for a par and two-under 70.

The good friends have cleared out from the field with Queenslander Cassie Porter, who recently turned pro, and Victoria’s Su Oh tied third on four-under after second round 70s.

“I haven’t played with Whit for a long time, so it will be fun to play with her. I felt for her, living in West Australia she hasn’t been home. I’ve known Whit for 10-plus years, we played a lot of junior golf together, amateur stuff and it will be cool to play in a professional event,” Green said.

Green was happy to play the Beach course for the second round and she hasn’t dropped a shot in an ominous warning for the weekend.

“It was kind of nice to know where to hit it and a couple of times on the back nine I hit the wrong club off the tee. It made it hard to hit a decent approach shot, so I’m looking forward to the weekend,” Green said.

Hillier, at 31 and six years the senior, grabbed an eagle at the par-five second hole on the Creek course in her 68.

She is relishing the Saturday challenge after one of her best seasons on the Ladies European tour.

“I love it. It’s what I’m here for, I’m here to win and I can’t wait for the weekend. Whatever happens, happens and I’m just going to have some fun,” she said.

Hillier, who grew up in Geraldton, hasn’t been home for two years and stayed at her base in north-east England during the COVID epidemic to play tournaments in Europe.

“It’s nice to play in the heat, I’m so used to wearing jumpers and trousers and it’s so nice to be in the sun,” she said.

With 11 top 10 finishes on the LET, she has worked to improve her mental approach.

You’ve got to stay calm and stay in the moment. And I’ve improved my putting and it was nice to see it going in the hole. Yeah, it’s all coming along quite nicely,” she said.

Queenslander Karis Davidson, at -3, New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori (-2) and Korean Gyu Rin Kim (-1) were the only other players under par after 36 holes.