MAN TO BEAT: Matthew Staines will carry a four-shot lead into the third round of the Griffith Golf Club championship tomorrow. Picture: Anthony Stipo
GRIFFITH Golf Club professional Warrick Hazel said "anything was possible" from the last two rounds of the Club Championship, adding the waiting pack would love to knock off reigning champion Matthew Staines.
Staines is in the box seat to win an incredible eighth club title after firing two consistent rounds of 73 last weekend to see him sitting four shots clear of good friend Josh Stapleton.
Hazel said he had not heard of such a streak as Staines's, especially for such a young player who plays with little fear of the local course.
"It's a very rare thing to have eight championships under your belt, especially in amateur golf," Hazel said.
"When you see someone who can hit a ball so hard and as far as he does and still maintain control over it, he's a very aggressive golfer and he's made it pay off for him.
"I think he'll go well in the country state champs, he stands a good shot of finish well there, and I think he'll go well on the weekend as well."
However, the local pro said the waiting pack should not back off and said if they apply pressure on the scoreboard then an unexpected name might be engraved on the trophy for 2012.
"Last weekend had some very tough conditions to play in, it was wet throughout the day, there was mud out on the coarse and the afternoon players had a challenge with the wind," he said.
"Anything can happen in golf which makes is a strange sport, it is moving day on Saturday so I'm not ruling anything out.
"It is a stroke round, so one bad drive can see somebody walk away with a horrendous score on a hole and then it's up to who recovers the best."
Among those within striking distance is Jacob Curry in third after he carded 153 last weekend, which included a five-shot turnaround from the first to second day's play.
While Jason Magoci will be looking for a much improved showing, after misfiring to shoot 80 and 79 last weekend, with two sub-par rounds needed if he is to come from the clouds to win.