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Former Golf NSW team member Lincoln Tighe is an unlikely clubhouse leader after round one of the Emirates Australian Open.
The big hitting pro from Port Kembla Golf Club got the better of a hot and windy Australian Golf Club shooting a 5-under par 66 in the morning to sit one shot in front of USPGA tour player Matt Jones. A further shot behind sits a trio of players Geoff Ogilvy, Todd Sinnott and Taiwanese amateur Chun An-Yu
Other notable scores included a 1-under par rounds of 70 from Neven Basic and Grant Thomas.
Bonnie Doon amateur Austin Bautista carded a very respectable 2-over par 73 in his first ever professional tournament and is right in the mix to make the 36 hole cut.
Tighe got off to a flying start birdieing his first two holes (the 10th and 11th) before adding a third on the 16th after a solitary bogey on the 15th. Tighe consolidated his position at the top of the leader board with four birdies on the front nine, against a lone bogey on the 8th hole.
“It feels unreal to be here and be playing as good as I did. To finish it off today was solid and I’m really happy,” Tighe said after his round.
Matt Jones endured the stronger wind of the afternoon half of the draw carding a 4-under par 67, easily the best round of the afternoon.
“I played very well,”said Jones.“I actually shot 4 under but it could have been definitely better.
“I had a lot of good iron shots and a lot of good birdie putts out there but I was very happy with how I played and if I have three more days like that it will be a good finish.”
It was a tough opening day at the Australian, with only 18 players breaking par. The heat and wind of the morning meant many players struggled. Defending Champion Jordan Spieth only managed to shoot an even par round in the morning heat.
Bonnie Doon amateur Austin Bautista carded a very respectable 2-over par 73 in his first ever professional tournament and is right in the mix to make the 36 hole cut.