Rickie Fowler lived up to his promise to light up the Gold Coast today as he took the first round lead at the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola. The popular young American fired an 8-under 63 at RACV Royal Pines Resort to set the new course record and claim top position on the leaderboard. I&aposll take eight every day and I might have the trophy at the end of the tournament, said Fowler who knows there is plenty of golf still to be played. You shoot 8-under one day and you never know what&aposs going to happen the next; it&aposs a new day. I&aposm looking forward to the challenge tomorrow and getting myself into a good position for Sunday. On his second trip to Queensland, Fowler demonstrated why he loves visiting Australia, delighting young fans in his wake. I know we all like being in Australia, so it&aposs a good fun week for all of us. It works as a tournament and a vacation, added Fowler who is travelling with his family this week. I have a lot of influence with the younger generation. It&aposs been fun to see my fan base grow with the younger kids and kids that are looking up to me. Masters Champion Adam Scott was the man Australia had been waiting to watch and he didn t disappoint opening with a 6-under 65. I&aposve enjoyed every minute of it, playing here at home. It was fun today, said Scott. The course is playing really well and I&aposll enjoy the next three days. I&aposve been looking forward to this month so there&aposs no reason why I shouldn&apost enjoy the whole ride. Admitting to some nerves on the first tee, Scott settled into his rhythm posting his first birdie on the par-4 6th hole. I definitely had the nerves going again on the first tee. I m pleased to get that out of the way and put a good one on the board, added Scott. I think no matter how little pressure I put on myself I still want to play well especially in front of everyone who&aposs come out to watch. I want to play well too and give myself a chance to win this week. Joining Scott at two shots off the pace are Victorian David McKenzie and Gold Coast local Matthew Ballard who posted his lowest round ever on the Royal Pines layout. We play a lot of tournaments here throughout the year and I can t remember shooting six or seven under. Today was a good day, said Ballard. Round two of the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will officially be known as Wear Green for Adam Scott Day. Providing an opportunity for sports fans across Australia to celebrate their Masters Champion the tournament will be awash with green as attendees are encouraged to wear the colour synonymous with Augusta National. Play in the second round will tee off at 6am local time. Adam Scott will be on course at 7.20am with Rickie Fowler teeing off at 12.20pm.
Author: PGA