Josh Armstrong and Charlie Dann are the men of the moment, joint leaders after the opening round of the Murray Regional Open at Corowa Golf Club.
On a day just perfect for low scores, the pair shot matching course records of ten under par 63, to lead by a shot from Western Australia’s Daniel Fox.
In third place is Maroubra’s Mitch Davis two shots back at seven-under, while Tomithy Purtill, Daniel Gale, female Doey Choi and Queensland’s Aaron Wilkin are at six-under.
In a sign of the quality of play on display, 50 players bettered par in the opening round.
The talk, however, was all about Dann and Armstong’s record-breaking efforts.
“I’ve never gone below six under in an event ever, bar club rounds of coures,” Dann admitted post-round. “This was a nice surprise, I wasn’t expecting it.”
DAY ONE RECAP LINKS:
- FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
- 3.00pm: Dann the man lights up Corowa
- 1.10pm: Davis by a shot with Sizzling 67
- 10.40am: Three-way tie for early lead
- 7.30am: Murray-regional-open-underway
“My game has been off and on. I haven’t feel like I could shoot a low score, so thats why today surprised me.”
” I hit my wedges nice, and I got a few , what you would say, were lucky bounces, but hey, you always need things like thatbto shoot something pretty low, but ten under, I’m stoked with.”
Armstrong was equally thrilled with ten under effort.
” I made six birdies coming in, they weren’t all tap-ins either.”
” I holed a ten-footer on the last of the day, even Derek ( Akerman – his playing partner) said, you’ve got to roll this one in.”
The Concord Club Champion couldn’t recall whether the course record was his second or third. However, he was thrilled to know it was at the home course of one of Australian golfs best, Marcus Fraser.
“It’s Pretty cool. If Marcus Fraser is a member here and I’ve got one up on him around his home track, its got to be good.”
Dann the man lights up Corowa
The temperature might be topping the 30 degree mark, but the real heat is coming from Queensland’s Charlie Dann who has just lit up the opening nine (holes 10-18) at Corowa, flying around in just 29 strokes.
Playing alongside a couple of the pre-tournament favourites, Justin Warren and Nathan Barbieri (who are both at three under), Dann has crafted an impressive six birdies and an eagle in a flawless performance.
impressively, Dann has managed to craft the number with just nine putts, something his playing partners were keen to note as he began the front nine.
Other scores of note in the afternoon half of the draw include Western Australian Daniel Fox at four under, alongside The Untied States Derek Akerman.
Also at three under is European tour winner Sam Brazel, and Josh Armstrong.
Davis by a shot with sizzling 67
Sydney-based Professional Mitch Davis leads by a shot midway through the opening day of the Murray Regional Open at Corowa Golf Club.
The 30 year old has returned a seven-under 66 carding eight birdies and a solitary bogey in conditions perfect for scoring. He leads by one from Timothy Purtill. Kiwi Sung Jin Yeo is further shot back in outright third, while four under is another couple of New South Wales based players, Darcy Boyd and Bradley Doherty.
All the talk is about Davis, however after his sensational opening round. The Maroubra local who turned pro in 2013, was pleasantly surprised with his first round score, said it was good to play well for once.
“Pretty good for once,” Davis smiled. “I got a bit lucky out there. My good shots were good, but my bad shots were soo bad, but got lucky found them and made pars.”
With three places on offer for the NSW Open, Davis said it would be a great career opportunity if he was to secure a place in next month’s championship.
” I’ve been on the fringe for the last eight years or so, never had full status, I wouldn’t mind grabbing a start. I haven’t played the NSW Open for three years now, so it would be good.”
Sitting three back from the outright leader, Kiama GC Trainee Darcy Boyd, and Oatlands Bradley Doherty.
Boyd was quietly satisfied with his opening-round effort, a five-under 68.
” I had a really slow start, played solid in practice yesterday, made a good par on thre then hit go fo=rom there.
Boyd turned one-under, but then let loose on the back nine with three birdies and an eagle. The NSW trainee of the Year would’ve been a lot closer to the lead if not for a couple of late bogeys.
“I Got a bit unfortunate on the last couple, but that’s alright,” he smiled.
Leaderboard:
-7: Mitch Davis
-6: Timothy Purtill
-5: Sung Jin Yeo
-4: Darcy Boyd, Bradley Dougherty,
-3: Tim Elliott, Mitch Brown, Timothy Purtill
-2: Stefan Tuionetoa, Caleb Bovalina (a), Matt Dowling, Bradley Kivimets, Patrick Joseph, Daniel Gill, James Gordon
10.40am: Three-way tie for early lead
Victorian Tim Elliot is part of a three-way tie for the lead midway through the morning in the opening round of the Murray Regional Open at Corowa Golf Club.
The Legends Tour regular is at four-under through nine holes, alongside New South Wales duo Bradley Dougherty and Mitch Davis.
Three more players are tied at three-under, Stefan Tuionetoa, Matt Dowling and Amateur Daniel Gill.
With the morning half of the field now out on course, interest focus on who will post a score for the afternoon players to chase, with the big guns beginning their rounds just after 11.00am
Leaderboard:
-4: Tim Elliott, Bradley Dougherty, Mitch Davis
-3: Stefan Tuionetoa, Matt Dowling, Daniel Gill (a)
-2: Jayden Cripps, Sung Jin Yeo
-1: Darcy Boyd, Bradley Kivimets, Jack Poutney Patrick Joseph Jack Walden.
Murray Regional Open Underway
Fabulous conditions have greeted the field for the opening round of the Murray Regional Open at Corowa Golf Club this morning.
Theres a chill in the air, at a brisk 13 degrees, but as the day progresses things will heat up, with a high of 31 expected.
99 golfers are vying for the $50,000 on offer as well as one of three coveted spot in the 2021 NSW Open at Concord Golf Club next month.
Kiam Trainee Darcy Boyd got the field away at 7.30am this morning with the top chances, including local hope Marcus Fraser, hitting off just after 11.00am.
Stay up to date with the happenings right here as the day unfolds.
