Varner III claims maiden title at Australian PGA Championship

Overnight leader Andrew Dodt shot a five-under-par 67 to retain his two-stroke advantage after the second round of the Australian PGA Championship on Friday as Adam Scott stayed in touch to seize a share of third.

The two best value options at this stage are Scott and Harold Varner, with Varner slightly preferred.

He finished his first round with a seven-under 65 after waking from his slumber, before steadying the ship in the wind in his second round.

He struck three bogeys and five birdies in his two-under round, but he was no less consistent than those around him as heavy winds threaten to bring with them a late afternoon storm.

Dodt carded three bogeys on the day but made up for those mistakes and then some with five birdies that were evenly spread throughout the 18 holes.

Scott started the last day four shots off the pace but again was wayward off the tee.

Andrew Dodt has been excellent for 54 holes, plotting his way expertly along Royal Pines, and he won the 2014 Queensland Open on the Australasian Tour.

Dodt held the lead for three rounds but the Australian was unable to see it through following his three-under-par 69.

England’s Ian Poulter posted a 68 to sit at four under and he admitted that a 3.30am alarm call for a 5.30am start to complete his first round was not ideal preparation. Scott and New Zealand’s Ryan Fox are two more back at eight-under. “You’ve got to take your opportunities when they come”, he said. I feel very comfortable here in the wind and on the greens.

Scott had five birdies and a bogey on Friday, and was hitting most greens easily, “making it fairly stress free”. “I’m now a much better, more mature player than I was 12 months ago and this win is big for me”. “It was nice to find it”. “My striking was crisp, it was strong and it carried on to the rest of my game as well”.

“After previous year, it feels good to come back and finish it off”, he said. Well, actually, they went over all accolades, former number 1, Masters Champion I was like, well I’d pull for that guy too. While playing at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte in May, Varner said he enjoys the perks and attention of the tour but acknowledged it’s not easy.

Dodt holed six birdies and a bogey in the lowest round of the day to get to 12 under and lead at the halfway stage of the European Tour co-sanctioned event. The only think I can control is Harold.

“I don’t care where you tee it up”.

“I made a couple of bad swings, bad shots into the water”. It hit the cart path and ended up in the hazard.