Pike continues his Middle Ridge affinity to share victory - Toowoomba Chronicle

Aaron Pike tied for first in yesterday's Toowoomba BMW Middle Ridge Pro Am. Chris Ison

DEFENDING champion Aaron Pike has once again conquered the Toowoomba BMW Middle Ridge Pro Am, finishing alongside good friend Tim Hart after both players shot five-under-par 66.

Conditions could not have been better for the competing professionals and although Pike was happy with his round, Hart was somewhat a little disappointed with the way he finished.

Hart was six under with four holes to play, though two bogies over his closing holes would leave the door ajar for Pike to tie for the win.

Both Hart and Pike finished one shot ahead of Matthew Ballard with a further four professionals finishing in a tie for fourth.

Pre tournament favourite and current Fiji International champion Steven Jeffress had a round he would rather forget, firing a five over par 76 to finish 10 behind.

With the past 12 months being some of the toughest times the Toowoomba Middle Ridge Golf Club has experienced, Pike could not praise the club enough for what the have done for professional golf over the past 30 years.

"The Middle Ridge Golf Club has always been a pleasure to play and this year was certainly no different, with the course being set up perfectly for a professional tournament," Pike said.

"The Middle Ridge Golf Club members are always welcoming and it's one of the main reason we see quality players return to this event year after year.

"This is certainly one of the best Pro Ams we get to play each year and it's nice to again add my name to an honour roll champions that includes players such as Peter Senior and John Senden."

SCOREBOARD

Middle Ridge Pro Am

Par 71

66: Aaron Pike (Qld), Tim Hart (Qld)

67: Matthew Ballard (Qld)

68: Chris Wood (Qld), Troy Cox (NSW), Nicholas Russell (Qld), Adam Stephens

69: Paul Donahoo (Qld), Marcus Cain (Qld), Peter Shaw (NSW)

70: Jun Seok Lee (Qld), Jared Pender (NZ), Michael Wright (Qld), Blake McGrory (Qld), Peter Martin (Qld)

71: Paul Maiolo (NSW), Kalem Richardson (Tas), Brendan Smith (NSW)