Classy Queensland teen Louis Dobbelaar has stamped his authority on the Australian Boys' Junior Amateur with an opening-round 66 to sit one-shot clear of closest rivals Josh Greer and Phoenix Campbell at Gosnells Golf Club on Wednesday.
The Brookwater talent was clinical throughout his four-under-par round, securing six birdies and two bogeys to lead a host of big names heading into the second day.
Birdies at four and six provided steady momentum for Dobbelaar to begin his round, with a finely-tuned short game allowing the Brisbane product to continue his blistering form on the back nine.
A bogey at 17 was the only real blemish for Dobbelaar with a clutch putt at the last giving him a birdie and the outright lead.
West Aussie Greer shares second place with travelling Victorian Campbell after both shot 67 to open their Junior Amateur accounts in fine style.
The Joondalup youngster lived up to his status as the no.1 Junior Amateur in the country with four birdies and a bogey to finish with a three-under-par round.
Huntingdale product Campbell was impressive with two birdies either side of the turn during his promising start, while WA duo Connor Fewkes and Cooper Geddes round out the top five, a further one-shot back.
WA boys’ captain Fewkes looks in ominous form heading into the remaining few days, with his stunning tee-to-green play only let down by a number of missed opportunities with the putter.
Brisbane’s Sam Slater finished with 69, while WA pairing Jordan Jung and Jose De Sousa lurk dangerously four shots behind leader Dobbelaar.
Mount Lawley’s Joe Buttress, 12, provided the highlight of the opening day with a hole-in-one at 14 during his round of 79.
Only six players were able to break par throughout the first round, with the Gosnells track proving challenging for many of the young stars.
The Amateur will continue tomorrow with players set to tee-off from 7.15am, with the top 60 going through to the final round.