Australian qualifier Mat Goggin is "living the dream" as he eyes a breakthrough PGA Tour Champions victory after shooting a tournament-record 10-under 62 to claim a one-shot lead in Palm Coast, Florida.
But the 52-year-old Tasmanian has a bunch of fellow Australians snapping at his heels going into the final round of the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament, including Queensland's Rod Pampling (65) who is outright second.
Goggin posted 10 birdies in his blistering second round on the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach on Saturday, five on each nine, as he reached 16-under 128.
He was one of three players who managed to qualify for the event, posting a five-under 67 at TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday. His latest round bettered the tournament record of 63, which was set by Ryan Armour in Friday's first round.
Goggin is making his 14th appearance on the 50-and-over tour - having had to qualify for all except the Senior PGA Championship - and is seeking his first win. His best finish is a tie for 11th at the 2026 Dick's Open.
Pampling followed up his 64 on Friday with a 65 on Saturday and trails by one at 15 under.
Aussie Michael Wright and American Vaughn Taylor shot matching two-day scores of 65-66 to be tied for third place at 13 under. Armour (69), fellow American Paul Goydos (68) and Australia's Richard Green (64) were knotted at 12 under.
A frequent PGA Tour player from 2000-2012, and the winner of five US secondary tour wins between 1999 and 2015, Goggin is aiming to continue what he started on Sunday.
"It's probably the first tournament where I played sort of how I played in all the qualifiers," he said.
"Shot a lot of good numbers in qualifiers, a lot of low numbers, and sort of the feel like I can finally relax a little bit instead of just putting so much pressure on myself.
"Played nicely and made some key putts and made a nice sand save on 17, which kept my momentum going. Yeah, it's just the sort of day you have when you shoot 10 under. Everything kind of goes your way."
Pampling birdied five of his last seven holes and is second in putting (1.54) for the weekend.
It has been nearly three years since he won on the tour.
"I feel good out there. I'm not stressed," Pampling said.
with Reuters
