McCardle in action during the 2010 SA Amateur Match Play Final When Flagstaff Hill Golf Club&aposs Max McCardle destroyed his opponent 12&11 in the Match Play final of the 2010 South Australian Amateur Championship, with some of the finest golf witnessed, one could clearly see that McCardle had the game to succeed on the pro circuit. That, combined with his demeanor and maturity beyond his years, which resulted in State Captaincy in 2010, has seen McCardle adjust well to pro life. In my first year as a pro in 2011 I had no expectations and had four top ten s in Von Nida Tour events and played really well McCardle said. My second year on tour was a bit of a struggle, I was probably one or two shots off each event and I didn t perform as well as I would have liked. This year though I feel I have adapted really well and I m happy with how things are going . McCardle added. Having played in his first Emirates Australian Open in 2008 at Royal Sydney as an Amateur shooting 77-78 in the pouring rain, McCardle s next Open start was last year carding scores of 79-70 to miss the cut by just one stroke. This year, I m heading to Sydney to try and win. I m here to definitely compete and I m aiming for a top 10-15 finish. McCardle said. Having finished T43 (4-over) at the Australian Masters with rounds of 72-73-75-68 and T19th at the NSW Open last week, with rounds of 69-73-69-68 (9-under), McCardle feels he’s striking the ball well and capable of low scores. I played well at the NSW Open last week and I shot 3-under in the last round of the Masters, so I ll take some confidence out of that. I won the Penfold Box Hill Pro Am in Melbourne a few weeks ago finishing 11 under-par and I although I m having a few lapses, tee to green its pretty good and I feel like I m in a good place . McCardle added. Earlier in the year, McCardle lost the inaugural Lexus of Blackburn Heritage Classic on the first playoff hole after finishing 14-under with rounds of 70-68-69-67. I made a couple of mental mistakes and was indecisive, so I worked hard over the summer with Rosie Stanimirovic (Sports Psychologist) and have been really consistent since, so it s been good . McCardle said. Rating the 2012 Perth International as the biggest event he’s played McCardle sees this weeks Emirates Australian Open as moving to the top of his played events list, especially with the presence of Adam Scott and Jason Day. You learn a lot from their demeanour. These guys are really down to earth but confident and comfortable with what they re doing and their results show that. You see why they do certain things and it shows what you need to do. “At the Masters VJ Singh was impressive, he’s 50 years of age but spent longer hours than anyone practising before and after his rounds, it just shows how hard they are working . McCardle said. A good result this week opens the door for McCardle. I definitely want to play the Asian Tour and I m aiming for the Japan Tour School at the end of next year for playing opportunities and to build my ranking . McCardle added. Brad Steele from the Willunga Golf Club is caddying for McCardle for the first time this week and being a fellow country SA lad McCardle expects the partnership to go well. “I&aposm hoping for this to be a great week”. McCardle added. For all news including live scoring throughout The Emirates Australian Open – click here for the Official website
Author: Christian Puccini / Golf SA