The Serve

Allenby and Badds clear out

The Australian Masters is shaping as a two-horse race, with Robert Allenby and Aaron Baddeley clearing out from the rest of the field.

Allenby is -9 heading into the weekend, one shot clear of Baddeley. Baddeley set the early pace, firing a 66 before lunch to sit at -8. Allenby started his second round slowly, securing five straight pars, before landing an eagle on the par-5 6th. Birdies on 8 and 10 gave the 2-time champion the outright lead. The break extended to two when Allenby birdied 17, only for him to give that shot back on the last.

The pair are well clear of the field, with six relative unknowns locked at -5. Rod Pampling and Stuart Appleby are a shot further back.

“I played really nice today, I really felt in control. Hit a lot of good tee shots. Made a couple of putts as well. That was nice,” Baddeley said at after his round, which ended before Allenby hit off.

“I feel like I can shape the ball like I really need to.”