Bobby Gates has assumed a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Australian PGA Championship.
The American carded a second round of 69 on his first appearance at the Coolum resort course to move on to 11 under par, having started the day three shots off the pace.
China's Liang Wenchong and home favourite John Senden are tied for second place on ten under par, while defending champion Robert Allenby sits on six under par after a 68.
"It was kind of a rough start, I'd never teed off at 6:30 a.m., so maybe I wasn't awake yet," Gates said.
"I birdied ten, bogeyed 11 after a bad 8-iron into the green, birdied 12, but had bad tee shots on 13 and 14, misjudging some wind, and bogeyed both of those. But after that, I played well."
Gates added that he now has plenty of confidence in his chances of winning the tournament after figuring out the areas on the course to avoid.
Allenby's victory last year was his fourth at the Australian PGA Championship, having also triumphed in 2000, 2001 and 2005.
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