Longer tops despite back-nine jinx

New Zealander Dale Clarke hammered a ride on the 13th in the Vines Golf Club of Reynella today.

Greg Longmore shares the lead after two of the three rounds of the Australian Mid Amateur Championship in South Australia, but he has a small problem.

The Tasmanian sits next to Adelaide's Phil Chapman, two consecutive at the challenging Vines Golf Club at Reynella, south of Adelaide.

But remarkably enough, in two days, Longmore did not fire a back-nine birdie and he played the closing number nine a combined six pairings

Of course, with a quality field that is fast on the heels – another four players are within two strokes – Longmore has a clear vision for his final round.

"I really struggled with those nine problems, I still have a bird and it has been a real fight," said the member of the Launceston Golf Club, who started the tenth part of his second round.

"But I came home a lot, the front nine was really good … and I took a few putts with me."

But he was not alone. For the second consecutive day, the front nine was more forgiving in the 85-strong field, bringing 77 birdies to 42 on the way in.

Longmore and Chapman will be in the sights of two home team members tomorrow with Tony Bruggeman (+4) and Tony Nobbs (+3) among those who compete with the last two best rounds, an equally par 72.

The other main candidates are Kiwi Dale Clarke at +3, while former champion Andrew Tharle, of Royal Canberra, is two behind +4 and still fifth, despite two unusual double thieves on his card during the first 36 holes.

In the women's field, Louise Mullard, from New South Wales, an almost bullet-free 18-stroke lead after rounds of 74-76 left her at eight.

Remarkably, Mullard had 26 pars in the two days – more than anyone in the field, including the men.

SCOREBOARDS