Amateurs DeChambeau, Murray inside top-20 at Aussie Masters
Bryson DeChambeau
MELBOURNE, Australia — Two amateurs are in contention down under in a PGA of Australia event. Bryson DeChambeau, former SMU golfer and reigning NCAA Men's champion, is tied for 12th place through two rounds of the Australian Masters. Another amateur, Zach Murray of Australia, is tied for 18th place. Both players shot 69 in round one, followed by 70 for DeChambeau and 71 for Murray on Friday.
DeChambeau, who has made headlines all summer, shot 3-over on the back side, his first nine, then went 5-under, including three birdies and an eagle on the par-4 eighth hole, to shoot 31 and post 2-under 69 on day one. Round two featured more consistency, as DeChambeau birdied two holes on the front side and bogeyed the last hole of the day to keep him from entering the weekend in the top-10.
Still, DeChambeau sits five back of the lead and is in good position to make a run at leaders Adam Scott and Peter Wilson.
DeChambeau, of Clovis, Calif., won the NCAA Individual crown and then, amidst heavy sanctions handed down to the team's former head coach, decided to leave Southern Methodist and forgo his senior year.
Murray is the defending Master of the Amateurs champion, which is the reason for his exemption into this professional event. His even-par second round featured two bogeys and two birdies on each nine.
Another amateur, Curtis Luck of Australia, is tied for 23rd place at 1-under par after shooting 69 on Friday.
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