Shae Wools-Cobb enjoys big day at Queensland Open at Pelican Waters

Local hope Shae Wools-Cobb is certain he can capitalise on home course advantage by boldly contending for the Isuzu Queensland Open at Pelican Waters this weekend.

Coast golfer Shae Wools-Cobb is within reach of the frontrunners following the second day's play at the Queensland Open. Picture: Golf Queensland

Local hope Shae Wools-Cobb is certain he can capitalise on home course advantage by boldly contending for the Isuzu Queensland Open at Pelican Waters this weekend.

Wools-Cobb (71-67) compiled a fine five-under-par round on Friday to sit at six-under and within firing range of the leaders at the halfway stage.

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The Mudjimba golfer had five birdies on a Pelican Waters layout still soft from Thursday’s downpour.

“It’s awesome that golf is being showcased on the Sunshine Coast,” Wools-Cobb said.

“I’m definitely in better shape than last year (when he missed the cut) and knowing the course means you can stay aggressive on the weekend.”

“It’s good to be in contention because there was a time on Thursday when it was so wet I struggled to hold onto the club for five holes.”

The best of the Wools-Cobb birdies came on his eighth hole, the par five 17th, when he drove the ball right off the tee and cut a three wood over the trees to the green.

Coast golfer Shae Wools-Cobb is within reach of the frontrunners following the second day's play at the Queensland Open. Picture: Golf Queensland

Victorian Bryden Macpherson’s hot 64 included two eagles on par fives.

Macpherson’s 72-64 start has got him to eight-under-par which was matched by Queenslander Chris Wood (68-68), one of his three housemates for the week just two minutes from the course.

Macpherson’s first eagle on his third hole, the par five 12th, augured well for a positive day.

“I hit a nice drive and three wood to about 35 feet but I hit the putt way too hard. I was lucky that one went in because it the hole with a lot of speed,” Macpherson said.

A fine chip dropped in the front of the hole for eagle three holes from home.

Winning the Moonah Links Classic last month has given Macpherson extra confidence and calmness.

“Obviously, it boosts the confidence to see some results from what you feel you can do,” Macpherson said.

The compact shotmaker is less of the hyper-intense silo he once was when trying to parlay his dream start as an amateur at the 2012 Masters at Augusta into a full-blown career in the US.

“I’ve moved on from the pure competitive nature of just playing golf and that being my entire existence,” Macpherson, 30, said.

“I’m done with the stresses when playing and worrying about my game when I leave the golf course...those were my 20s.

“I’m just enjoying playing golf as a member of the tour in Australia now.”

Chinese teenager Guxin Chen (69-68), lone American Derek Ackerman (68-69) and NSW golfer Dale Williamson (68-69) posted seven-under early for 36 holes before the first round leaders got out on the course.

Contending for his state Open has always been an ambition for Wood.

“I played 22 holes on the day, chipped and putted well, was steady and stayed in the round when I had to,” said Wood, a Wynnum Golf Club member.

“It’s nice to play a course you know pretty well and this is a trophy I’ve always wanted to win being in my home state.”

Originally published as Shae Wools-Cobb enjoys big day at Queensland Open at Pelican Waters