Golf
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ADAM Scott may have a few more majors in his trophy cabinet if he was as good a frontrunner as Griffith golfer Matthew Staines.
Staines holds a two-stroke lead heading into the final rounds of the Griffith Golf Club Championships this weekend, and it would take a brave punter to bet against him staying at the top of the leaderboard.
The 27-year-old has won 11 of the past 12 championships after claiming his maiden title at 15.
In that time, Staines has never had to rely on a late meltdown from a rival to gift him victory.
"Without sounding cocky, in this particular championship, I've never had to come from behind," Staines said.
"That's just the way it's turned out for me."
Staines shot 69 to be two under in his first round on Saturday before dropping three shots on Sunday after carding 74.
Ever the competitor, Staines said his second round should have been better.
"Saturday I was reasonably happy, but Sunday I was disappointed with how I played," he said.
"I made a few poor decisions out there, which then compounded other mistakes.
"But that's just part and parcel of the game.
"The weather wasn't the best (in the second round), but everyone had to play in the same conditions.
"It's just how you prepare for that and deal with it."
Former NSW amateur champion Eric Couper is within striking distance after rounds of 72 and 73, but Staines knows what he has to do to win.
"You've just got to keep your head in the right place. That's the biggest thing," Staines said.
"If you start hitting a few bad shots, you've just got to switch off and start again.
"You can't beat yourself up about it if a few things start to go wrong."
Staines, however, admits that's easier said than done.
"I'm certainly no angel," he said.
"I get frustrated the same as everyone.
"It's just how people deal with adversity when they're out there. That's the biggest thing."