The amateurs have made an early mark on the Talisker Masters with nearly all in top 20 on the leaderboard after Round 1 at Kingston Heath where NSW pro Matt Guyatt leads at 7-under par. Leading the amateur charge is Novocastrian Jake Higginbottom, the 2012 Riversdale Cup champion who shot an opening round 68 to be in a tie for fifth place. Mixing a single bogey with five birdies, Higginbottom is tied with a number of players including Peter O&aposMalley, Rika Batibasaga and Kalem Richardson. Cameron Smith is in a tie for 14th after an opening round 70 (-2). Smith, who was the Australian Amateur medallist in January, had four birdies and two bogeys en route to his 70. Nathan Holman and Oliver Goss are both in a tie for 20th at 1-under par. Goss played in the marquee group with Adam Scott and Graeme McDowell. Todd Sinnott finished at 1-over par 71 in a tie for 52nd.
Author: Hamish Jones / Golf Australia