The top 24 Associate qualifiers from Monday’s two rounds of strokeplay advanced to the matchplay section of the tournament on Tuesday where two rounds saw the contenders cut to just eight heading into the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
As one of the top eight qualifiers to receive a bye in Round 1, Smith (Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club) lined up against KDV Sport’s Nicholas Barney in Round 2.
Barney went to the 18th hole before getting the better of Peter Lyon (Southport Golf Club) in Round 1 but went down 4&3 to Smith in the afternoon matches.
“I am playing well and calculate I am 13-under par over the past two days which is very pleasing,” said Smith, who topped qualifying with a 36-hole total of nine-under par.
The news wasn’t so good for 2020 champion James Macklin from Jindalee Golf Club, beaten by Cody Davis (Surfers Paradise) 1 up in Round 2.
Davis took until…
