Date: July 20, 2017
Author: Mark Hayes

Vilips vaults to early lead

An outstanding opening round has left Australian Karl Vilips in charge of the time-honoured Southern Amateur in North Carolina.

The young Victorian signed for a bogey-free round of seven-under-par 65 to share top honours with Lloyd Jefferson Go, of the Philippines after the first round.

And while Vilips, 15, has been making his mark in several junior tournaments around the United States in the past couple of years, his progression is clearly evident in this open-age event with Go having recently graduated from his college studies at Seton Hall.

The Melburnian was simply brilliant in carding five birdies on the front nine, then pushed on for two more on the back nine, missing just two greens for the day.

"I hit my irons pretty solid all day and the driver was accurate," Vilips said.

And in further good news for the Aussie contingent, Queenslander Charlie Dann signed for his own impressive 67 to sit fourth alone after an entertaining round including five birdies, two bogeys and a superb eagle on the par-five fifth.

Dylan Perry and Shae Wools-Cobb share 14th at three under, Lachie Barker carded an even-par 72 and Blake Collyer has work to do after his opening 75.

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