Cult hero Corey Lamb in position to break drought on the PGA Tour of Australasia at PNG Open
Lamb (-9), the 23-year-old cult hero from the Hunter in NSW, posted a sizzling eight-under 64 on Thursday to share the 36-hole lead with Queensland's Will Florimo (65).
Lamb has been banging on the door of a maiden Australasian tour win for 12 months, notably finishing in a tie for second with Cameron Smith behind Lucas Herbert at the NSW Open last year.
His charge for one of three DP World Tour spots available on the PGA Tour of Australasia fell agonisingly short last season, but he's started like a man on a mission in the first event of the 2025-26 season.
Lamb was eight-under through the first 10 holes of his second round, then cruised into the clubhouse with eight straight pars to join the left-handed Florimo, who signed for nine birdies and a bogey.
'I was in this spot a few times at the end of last season,' Lamb said. '(I'll) just try to get over the line this time.'
The duo have a one-shot buffer from Lincoln Tighe (-8), with New Zealand's Mako Thompson (-7), who posted another solid round of 69, another shot further back.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape didn't play in the second round after accepting an invitation on Thursday to fill the field.
He shot a 25-over 97 in his first round and spent the rest of the day promoting his country's push to have more golfers, including the weekend's PNG Women's Open.
Every professional who entered the tournament had already been granted a spot before Marape's inclusion, while 20 local amateurs have also taken part in the event.
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