Argentinian rising star shines in Perth

Emiliano Grillo has charged into the lead after the second round of the ISPS HANDA Perth International which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour.

The 20-year-old from Argentina showed his prodigious talent at Lake Karrinyup Country Club today shooting a 5-under 67 to move to 11-under for the tournament.

In a round that featured two eagles, it seemed to be smooth sailing for Grillo before a bogey on the last added just the second blemish to his score card.

“I managed to have a good round anyway.  I think I hit it better yesterday than today but a couple of eagles and a hole‑out from the bunker on nine helped a lot,” said Grillo.

Heading into the weekend leading is a new experience for Grillo who is competing on the European Tour for the first time.

“As a Professional it’s probably my first time leading. I was close in the Top‑10s a couple of times, I’ve led a Professional event as an amateur, but this is completely different,” he added though preferred not to remember where he finished at the 2009 Argentine Open after leading as an amateur.

Having watched his friend and fellow young gun, Matteo Manassero, win on the European Tour, Grillo is confident that he too can perform well on the weekend.

“I mean, everybody wants to have Manassero as a mirror, and he’s one of the few guys that I have as a mirror, I try to copy his putting and his short game.  He’s an amazing player and a very good friend,” said Grillo.

“It’s hard for the first win but he’s already done it twice, so why not me.”

“I just want to have a good week.  My goal this week was having a good one to keep my card for next year.  I mean, if I can win, awesome.”

Grillo heads into Saturday with a four shot lead over World Number 24 Bo Van Pelt and Australian rising star Jason Scrivener.

A West Australian local, Scrivener started the second round on the back of high praises, from four-time PGA Tour of Australasia winner Greg Chalmers, but quickly found his rhythm to post a three-under the card round.

“My Dad mentioned it to me last night, I was pretty happy with that.  I wasn’t sure if Greg remembered playing with me actually, but it’s nice to hear some say some nice things about me,” said 23-year-old Scrivener.

“It’s a little bit new to me but I felt like I handled myself pretty well today which was nice.”

After a successful amateur career, Scrivener is now starting to play some solid golf as a Professional and is looking forward to the weekend challenge.

“It’s always a little bit tougher turning pro, so it’s taken me a couple of years to get really comfortable,” said Scrivener who came into the ISPS HANDA Perth International on the back of a top 10 performance at the WA Goldfields PGA Championship.

“I’ve always believed that I can compete at this level.  It’s just a matter of getting the chance and getting the break to do it.”

“It’s going to be a new challenge for me and going to be a few nerves tomorrow but I am looking forward to it, it will be good.”

A big mover in the second round was Bo Van Pelt who posted a 5-under par round to move into tied second with Scrivener at 7-under the card.      

The most experienced player in contention heading into the weekend, Van Pelt is looking forward to getting back on course.

“It’s a very challenging golf course and it’s fun to play, to shoot 5‑under and 2‑under, you know, in a decent position going into the weekend, I’m very excited,” said Van Pelt.

“Last time I was in Australia, I didn’t get to play the weekend, so nice to get to play the weekend.”

First round leaders Kiwi Michael Hendry and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares both finished 1-over par for the second round dropping them back to 6-under the card tied fourth with World Number 10 Jason Dufner and Australian Max McCardle.

The halfway cut finished at 2-over the card with 72 Professionals making it through to the weekend. The biggest name to head home early was Charl Schwartzel who bogeyed the 18th to miss by one.