Date: October 24, 2017
Author: Bernie Pramberg

O�Reilly ready to roll

Round 1 Draw: Click here

New South Welshman Callan O’Reilly has hit top form in preparation for the Isuzu Queensland Open which starts on Thursday.

O’Reilly, who played today’s pro-am at The Brisbane Golf Club, was runner-up in last week’s West Australian Open at Royal Perth.

He missed a two metre birdie putt on the 72nd hole at Royal Perth that would have forced a play-off with eventual winner Stephen Leaney.

“It was nice to give myself a chance down the stretch,’’ he said. “I’ll try and play nicely again this week and see where I end up.

“It’s great to play on two top courses in successive weeks.’’

O’Reilly, 27, who turned pro after winning the 2013 Australasian PGA Qualifying School, shot sub-par rounds of 70-65-68-71 at Royal Perth to finish a stroke adrift of Leaney.

“This is my fourth year out as a pro and I’m only just starting to get the results that I feel my game warrants,’’ said O’Reilly.

“I played here last year and enjoyed the course … it is a top layout.’’

O’Reilly, who won the Queensland amateur title in 2013, finished tied 25th at last year’s Isuzu Queensland Open.

Another player bringing solid form from the west is former top amateur Ollie Goss who gained notoriety by taking the Silver Cup at Augusta as low amateur at 2014 Masters.

Goss, 23, also shot four sub-par rounds at Royal Perth last week to finish 12th.
“I felt like I played well,’’ he said.

“This is my first time playing the Isuzu Queensland Open and today is my first look at The Brisbane Golf Club.’’

Goss will depart for America on Monday to prepare for the second stage of Web.Com qualifying school in Dallas, Texas.

“My aim is to play in America … that’s why I went to college over there,’’ he said. “I want to play on the US PGA Tour and know I will get there one day.’’

Goss admits his transition from elite amateur to the professional golf has been difficult.

“I have high standards for myself and it could have gone a lot better. But it also could have gone a lot worse,’’ he said.

“I have definitely learnt a lot in the last few years. I’m learning more about myself and trying to get better,’’ he said.

Goss has no playing status on the Australasian Tour and gained sponsor’s invitations to the WA Open and Isuzu Queensland Open.

“I’m still hoping to get into the Australian Open and can hopefully play well here this week,’’ he said.

A popular inclusion in the Isuzu Queensland Open field is 46-years old Murray Lott who grabbed the final pre-qualifying spot at Wynnum on Monday in a play-off.

Lott was a teaching professional at Brisbane GC for 12 years.

“I’m a member at the club and it’s good to be back playing tournament golf here,’’ he said.

“I love golf and have been playing since I was five. The game has been good for me in recent years when I’ve battled a few issues away from golf. I’m really looking forward to this week.’’

Lott, who currently coaches at the Victoria Park complex, recently shot a 64 at Sanctuary Cove Palms to win the PGA Professionals SE-Qld Championship.

“My incentive to make the cut this week is so that my son will be able to caddy for me on the weekend,’’ said Lott.

Defending champion Brett Coletta has withdrawn from the Wednesday pro-am field as he recovers from a virus.

The Isuzu Queensland Open will be played from October 26-29 at The Brisbane Golf Club. The Championship is part of an action-packed Australian summer of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.