Robert Brazill is just five shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the 57th Lytham Trophy as he plots a Sunday charge in the final 36 holes.
Rounds of 72 and 71 have the Naas man in a share of eleventh place on three-over-par in what is just his second appearance at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Brazill has now made both of his cuts either side of a wrist injury and he certainly feels comfortable around the tough links.
“It was nice to play well around Lytham, it’s a serious golf course, great challenge. It’s funny last time I played the Lytham Trophy was in 2019 and I made the cut as well so I’m two for two in Lytham which isn’t too bad,” said the former West of Ireland champion.
“Played nicely over the two days just got off to bad starts on both which is typical Lytham. I didn’t hit that bad of shots, I hit one bad shot on 7 and lost my tee shot. You can make bad starts around here but it’s about hanging in because the course gives you chances to make birdies.”
Brazill is six-over on the opening seven holes this week but on Saturday afternoon he responded well to dropping three shots in two holes with birdies on 9 and 11 before he parred his way home.
Clutch par putts on 17 and 18 have given him momentum heading into a marathon Sunday and if the putter can warm up, he is confident he can give himself a chance.
“I tried to minimise the mistakes, hit a lot of good iron shots but haven’t putted well so far this week. Held two nice par putts from ten feet on 17 and 18 but other than that I didn’t hole anything yet. Hopefully the putter warms up tomorrow and I can keep hitting it the way I’m hitting it,” explained Brazill who has his third all-Irish pairing of the week as he joins first round co-leader Joshua Hill on Sunday.
“I have a lovely draw I’m out with Josh tomorrow I played with all Irish lads all week, played with Darragh Flynn and Patrick Keeling the first two days so it’s like playing a scratch cup at home. It’s good to shoot good scores around here so hopefully do the same tomorrow and hole a few putts.”
Brazill credited some smart play as the key to winning the Connacht Strokeplay last year and although he is a powerful driver, his ability to plot around the golf course has paid dividends so far – as has a chipping lesson from former Irish International Jack Hume.
“My game is in very good shape, hitting it nice, trying to keep it simple, keep it in play, avoid bunkers but I’m happy with how I’m playing. Done a lot of work with Noel Fox and had a nice short game lesson with Jack Hume because my chipping has been quite poor for the last couple of months.
“I’ll try and play to my strengths tomorrow but an aggressively smart style, I’m a few shots back so who knows what can happen.”
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