Kalem Richardson headed home to Tasmania and to one of Australia&aposs most talked about golfing landscapes at Barnbougle Dunes to prepare for this week&aposs Talisker Masters. After his opening round 4-under par 68 left him at the pointy end of the leaderboard, that practice around the greens in the Apple Isle might have paid off. “I had three weeks in a row playing the China Masters, Korean Open and WA Open and I was playing really wel,” Richardson said. “A tough week in Korea kind of made me go home and hone my skills a little bit more but it&aposs feeling good.” Richardson, 24 and former Tasmanian State Squad member and is familiar with the layout, having played pennant golf for Victoria Golf Club and major amateur events at Kingston Heath. He spent time living in Melbourne in recent years but has now returned to Tasmania. His positive start was a key factor in his position on the leaderboard. “Just the front 9 I was hitting it really, really well. I guess the back nine I didn&apost quite hit it the way I wanted to, but I was making more putts so it evened itself out,” Richardson said. The Tasmanian is a confident starter and is now focussing his attention on the weekend at tournaments. “I&aposve set my goals pretty high. I lead my first OneAsia event after the first round. My goals are more towards the end of the week now.” While Q-School finals are now in action around the world, Richardson is focussed on keeping the Tour card he has on the PGA Tour of Australasia and gaining more experience. “I&aposm just hoping to keep the cards I&aposve got at the moment and then play another year next year, then next year I&aposll look at going to a few Q Schools,” Richardson said. “I just kind of want to get a full year together of playing tournaments and focus on the Tours I&aposm playing rather dipping off and going to other Tour schools.”
Author: Hamish Jones / Golf Australia