HAIKOU, CHINA, 4 Apr 2015 - The 22-year-old national team player overcame scorching heat and gusting winds to book his place in the weekend action – his status being confirmed when the delayed second round was completed on Saturday morning.
Roberts recorded an impressive second-round 73 on the par-72 Sandbelt Trails course at Mission Hills Haikou on the Chinese tropical island of Hainan.
That left him on six-over 150 for the tournament – good enough to make the cut in a field that includes players with PGA Tour and European Tour experience.
“Playing conditions have been tough and it’s been a physical test as well as a mental one,” said the Stirling University graduate. “But it’s also been a fantastic experience and a great learning curve. Making it into the weekend is a bonus and I’m looking forward to the next two rounds.”
After starting from the 10th tee on Friday, Roberts played with great assurance and snared a vital birdie on his 17th hole – the par-five eighth – followed by a par at the last to book his ticket for the final two rounds.
China’s Cao Yi was the tournament leader heading into the third round, his seven-under total giving him a three-shot lead over a trio of Americans, Jon McLean, John Young Kim and Kenneth McCready.
The Buick Open is the first of 13 tournaments on this year’s PGA China Tour schedule. At the season’s end, the top five in the Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the Web.com Tour in the United States.