Sydneysider Nathan Barbieri is on a tear this morning at Twin Creeks with a five-under front nine and further birdies on his back nine to lead the tournament at -8 as he closes out his back nine.
Barbieri, the 21-year-old amateur from Monash Country Club, started with a birdie at the first and birdied 3, 4 and five and another at the par-five ninth in an excellent start to the event. He then birdied 10, 11 and 12 as he sizzled through the back nine.
The talented right-hander has a cool head and perhaps one of the reasons is having rugby league legend Braith Anasta on the bag. The former Australian, Origin and Canterbury star is at Twin Creeks with a number of players in the field connected to his player management business, SEARoo.
“He’s such a great ball striker,” Anasta said of Barbieri.
“He has a great future ahead of him and we’re pretty happy with how he’s started today. he’s playing really well.”
Also under Anasta’s management is fellow New South Welshman Dimitrios Papadatos, who was six-under midway through his back nine at Twin Creeks.
Min Woo off to a ripping start in round one
Min Woo Lee has leapt from the blocks this morning with birdies and an eagle through three of the first holes this morning in his opening round, to be -4 after three.
The 21-year, starting his opening round from the 10th, birdie 10, birdied 11 (the par-five) then holed his second on the 12th for an eagle to be equal leader with amateur Jye Picken who is five-under through his first nine.
Pickin is a rising talent in Australian golf, the 19-year-old was the 2018 NSW Junior Champion and is attending college in the US. Like Lee, he eagled the short par 12th (261m) and added birdies at 11, 15 and 17 to head a strong field in perfect conditions at Twin Ceeks.
Twin Creeks set to sizzle on opening day
It’s a picture-perfect morning here at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in Sydney’s west for the opening day of the AV Jennings 2019 NSW Open, the premier event on the NSW golfing calendar.
The first groups are out accompanied by light winds and a course primed for scoring with soft greens and sunny conditions expected throughout the day.
Once again the NSW Open is spoilt with a quality field, including exciting youngster Min Woo Lee, the enigmatic ball-striker who turned professional less than a year ago and still looking for his maiden win.
Golf fans yet to witness his pure iron play should head out to Twin Creeks – only an hour from Sydney CBD and home to one of the most beautiful golf courses in NSW.
Join us throughout the day as we bring you updates, highlights and analysis of the first round.
The NSW Open is the precursor to the Australian summer of golf – with the Australian Open to be played next week and the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA to follow.
There’s a lot at stake and a lot of great golf to come.
