The Presidents Cup dream is alive for Australian golfer Scott Hend after he surged to be in a four-way tie for the halfway lead at the Australasian Tour's Fiji International.
Hend is seven under par, along with South Australian Jason Norris, Kiwi Daniel Pearce and Malaysian Gavin Green after Friday's second round at Natadola Bay.
While the tournament has a $1.5 million purse, Hend is targeting a much bigger prize.
"There's nothing more I'd like to be than on a Presidents Cup team this year," Hend said.
"With that in mind, there's no two ways about it I've got to perform."
Hend has been touted by the Internationals' Nick Price as a contender for one of his two captain's picks to be announced on September 6.
The 43-year-old set the tone from the outset with a sublime 20-metre putt to make an eagle on the first hole.
From there he reeled off five birdies with a bogey on the 17th the only major blemish in his six-under-par round of 66.
"I could have shot anything out there if I just holed a few putts," Hend said.
"I hit it pretty close and everyone's going to get a pretty bad bounce out there occasionally.
"I managed to have like six in a row on the back nine that didn't really go my way."
While Hend is pushing to take on the United States from next month, the goals aren't quite as lofty for Adelaide-based journeyman Norris who is targeting a top-10 finish over the weekend.
He chipped in for birdies on the eighth hole and again on the 18th, as he came home with a wet sail to record a round of 68.
Norris revealed hotel mini-golf has been part of his preparation, but admits it hasn't helped his putting.
"I've had the yips for a couple of years," Norris said.
"Today I yipped all but about eight putts."
The leading group are two shots clear of Australian trio Adam Bland, David McKenzie and Peter Wilson who all shot 71s to be five under.
US Masters winners Angel Cabrera (-3), Vijay Singh (-1) and Mike Weir (-1) comfortably made the cut.
Share
