Round 1 Update – 6.30pm
Victorian Professional Michael Choi is leading after round one of the NSW Open, scoring the low round of the day with a 4 under par round of 66. “I’m really happy with my result today, the course played tough and long from the rain we have had. I just stayed aggressive off the tee and I putted really well” said Choi.'
Choi’s steady round consisted of 6 birdies and 2 bogeys and he credits his solid play to an equipment change earlier in the week. “For 5 years I have used a long putter and I changed to a short putter on Tuesday. My distance control on the greens was great today” he said.
Local favourite James Nitties birdied 3 of his last 5 holes to finish tied for second with Anthony Brown and Brad Fasher all on a 3 under score of 67. With rain threatening to disrupt play, Nitties managed to reach the clubhouse with the lowest score in the afternoon field.
Local amateur Jake Higginbottom had 4 birdies and two bogeys in this morning’s round to finish with 68 and is currently tied 5th.
Defending champion Peter O’Malley with playing partners, US Amateur Champion Kelly Kraft and Australian Amateur Champion Matt Steiger, who all finished the days play with a score of 3 over par 73. <image="5" align="right" />
Newcastle golf club’s treacherous par 70 lay out caught many players off guard today including 13 year-old sensation Blake Windred. Blake played early this morning and managed to battle the elements like a true professional, “the course played so long for me, I hit a lot of 3 woods into holes, where my playing partners were hitting irons. It was a great experience playing and I learnt a lot”. Blake finished his round with a score of 13 over par 83.
Round 1 Update – 12.30pm
Victorian professional Michael Choi has battled the elements and the par 70 layout at Newcastle Golf Club to entertain the Updateclubhouse lead at the NSW Open with a round of 66. With the aid of a new putter, Choi managed 6 birdies to go with 2 bogeys during the morning session of play. National squad member Jake Higginbottom (NSW) carded a 68 to be the leading amateur after the early session had been completed.
Round 1 Update – 8.30am
Play has commenced despite the weather at Newcastle GC for the NSW Open.
The early scoring is being heading up by Brendan Smith (NSW), Marcus Cain (Qld) and Tristan Lambert (NSW) all on -2.
Pre-Event
The round 1 draw for the nsw open has been released with several groupings sure to draw the crowds. Stephen Leaney and Terry Price tee off at 7.25am with 17 year old Charlestown amateur and national squad member Jake Higginbottom. The local club is also represented by tournament favourites Aaron Townsend and James Nitties who both hit off at 12.25pm, as well as 13 year old sensation Blake Windred who tees it up at 7.55am. Current NSW Boys champion Peter Stojanovski is off at 11.45am with fellow amateur Cameron Haines. Fresh off his feats in the last week's Australian Open Peter O'Malley heads up a strong group including Australian Amateur champion Matt Stieger and current US Amateur champion Kelly Kraft.