A second straight day boasting seven nett eagles has extended Yarrawonga-Mulwala Golf Club’s advantage heading into the final round of The Scramble Championship Final at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club.

Leaders by two after posting 22-under in Round 1, Yarrawonga went out in an adjusted score of 12-under on The Palms Course on Wednesday morning and then played the back nine in 9-under to finish day two at 43-under par, 5.2 shots clear of Ulverstone Golf Club (52.1) from Tasmania.

Led by prolific PGA Legends Tour winner Chris Taylor, Hervey Bay Golf Club moved up 10 spots in Round 2 with a score of 49.1, pipped by Yarrawonga by 0.1 of a shot for the best of the day.

In danger of missing the 36-hole cut after a score of 54.1 in Round 1, Hervey Bay went out in 10-under in ideal conditions, coming home with four nett eagles in their final 10 holes to put themselves in championship contention.

Needing to take the final drive of Brook Combes on the par-4 18th, Hervey Bay benefited from a stroke of good luck when his tee shot bounced clear of the trees flanking the right side of the fairway.

Taylor called upon all of his tournament experience to hit the approach shot from the rough to just four feet, the birdie putt dropping for a final nett eagle at the second attempt.

“On the last two holes we had to take both of Brook’s drives,” Taylor said.

“He leaked it a little bit to the right on the wind on 18 but we were fortunate enough that it got through the trees and we got away with it.”

Although still yet to win, Taylor estimates that it is his ninth visit to The Scramble Championship Final.

While his competitive instincts always live close to the surface, he says his team of Brook and Brett Combes, Michael Hogan and Steven Larsen are not simply on the Gold Coast for a good time.

“I said to the boys after Round 1 not to be disheartened because they don’t give out trophies until the final day,” Taylor added.

“Every team wants to come here and win but it is such a great week.

“The accommodation is second to none, the golf course is like you wouldn’t believe and we’re basically treated like kings for the week.

“It would be a bonus if we won but it’s not going to stop us from doing anything we’d normally do anyway.”

Two-under through four holes, Ulverstone entered the mix by tallying three nett eagles and two birdies to close out a front nine of 10-under.

Although they had pars on 10 and the par-3 16th, the team of PGA Professional Darren Spencer, Troy Purton, Lachlan Murfet, Ethan Miles and Jeremy Adams combined for a back nine of 7.9-under par to sit in second spot with one round to play.

At 36-under par, Willunga Golf Club is seven shots from the lead in fourth position followed closely by Yeppoon Golf Club (35.8 under), Cumberland Country Club (35.4 under) and Kooindah Waters Golf Club (35.2 under).

Photo: Jason O’Brien