Reigning Australian Masters champion Nick Cullen proved to be one of the heavyweights on the creek course at the Oates Victorian Open by scoring 6-under par yesterday.
“After a slow start my eagle on the 7th was probably the highlight, I held a good shot there,” said Cullen.
The 29-year-old has already been a popular figure around the crowds throughout the opening two days of action, possessing an aura from his 2014 successes.
“It’s still a weird feeling, wearing a gold jacket; it’s surreal and hasn’t quite settled in,” said Cullen.
“You still want to win every time that you play, that hasn’t changed.”
He continued, “The pressure is off now though because last year it was a bit slow and then obviously had to win at the end of the year.”
“There are probably ten guys in Australian golf who you can’t help but notice in person, Adam Scott being the main one”.
“I can assure you that I’m not in that group yet,” Cullen playfully added.
The South Australian finished his round with a total of six birdies to add to his memorable eagle.
Yet he remains as a realist when previewing this afternoon’s action, eyeing the handful of names situated above him on the leaderboard.
“Three guys had eight under yesterday on the beach course so it could be a really interesting weekend,” said Cullen.
“I guess chasing down European tour player Jason Scrivener will be a lot harder than what most guys think going into today and Sunday.”
Cullen will commence his Day 3 campaign at 1pm today from the 1st tee alongside Aaron Townsend (NSW) and local amateur Ben Eccles who each had terrific rounds yesterday.
By: Alex Tigani, Golf Victoria media