Droop the man to beat in Ballarat - PGA of Australia

Droop the man to beat in Ballarat


First Year PGA Trainee Frazer Droop has regained the lead at the PGA National Futures Championship.

First Year PGA Trainee Frazer Droop has regained the lead at the PGA National Futures Championship.

"FrazerBeing played at Ballarat Golf Club, cold and tough conditions greeted the field on moving day however Droop managed to shoot an even par round and regain the lead.

The Yarrawonga Trainee led after the first round but saw New South Welshman Robbie Hogan overtake him on Wednesday.

At 6-under the card, Droop now has a three shot buffer heading into the final round from Trent Smith and Hogan who had rounds of 74 and 76 today, respectively.

“Today was the toughest conditions for sure. The wind was tricky, very gusty and the ball got knocked around a little bit on a few holes,” said Droop, who had two birdies and two bogeys today.

“It was a little bit of a slow start, I made a few good up and downs on the 5th and 6th for pars which kind of got me going.

“I made a good birdie on 7 to get to 1-under and that got my round rolling, it didn’t really consist of many other birdies, but it was pretty solid all day.”

With AU$60,000 prize money on offer, the PGA National Futures Championship is the richest Trainee tournament in the world.

However a place into the 2018 Australian PGA Championship is also on offer and with a round of golf still to be played, these opportunities are not far from Droop’s mind.

“I do think of the opportunities a little bit automatically. It’s hard not to when the prize is that big at the end. It does motivate me to try and get going and get the win,” added Droop.

“It’s pretty good to see my name at the top of the leaderboard, there is still a lot of golf to be played but I’ll stick to my game plan tomorrow and see if I can come out on top.”

Droop will have plenty of support on course tomorrow as his mate, and fellow PGA Trainee Brad McGill caddies for him.

He will also have his father and boss, Evan Droop the Head Professional at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort out supporting him.

“I have chatted to Dad a little about my rounds but he is going to come down tomorrow,” added Droop.

“Dad will be around watching so if anything seems to be going the wrong way tomorrow I dare say he will have a quick chat to me.

“I’ll also have Brad McGill on the bag again, he was great today.”

Englishman Matthew Fieldsend, who is the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland 2017 National Assistants Champion fired 1-under 71 to be outright 4th on the leaderboard on 2-under the card and four shots off the lead.

Shooting 69, the equal best round of the day, Victorian David Hall is tied 5th after three rounds on 1-under the card alongside fellow Victorian James Betts and West Australian Ethan Andrews.

The final round of the PGA National Futures Championship tees off at 7.30am with the final group of Droop, Hogan and Smith on course at Ballarat Golf Club at 9.38am.


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