On a day of low scoring at the first of six Regional Qualifiers for the 2026 Ford NSW Open, it was Jake McLeod atop the leaderboard after Round 1 at Lismore Workers Golf Club courtesy of a birdie at his final hole.
Hit with nearly 140 millimetres of rain in recent weeks, Lismore’s soft fairways and perfectly conditioned greens had the high-quality field licking their lips and taking advantage on Monday, with McLeod sitting 8 under and in front by one shot at the halfway mark.
A birdie four at the par-5 first hole gave the 2018 Ford NSW Open winner his advantage over Alexander Simpson, who, like McLeod, went bogey-free on the first day of the 36-hole event and closed his round with an eagle three, and Northern Rivers local Jay Mackenzie.
“It was good, had a group of the boys from RQ (Royal Queensland Golf Club), so it felt like just an afternoon when we go play nine holes together. Hit the ball well, putted well, did everything pretty nicely,” McLeod said.
The Queenslander’s strong start perhaps was not a surprise after McLeod had recent success at the Lismore Exhibition Shootout organised by head professional Luke Ryan in June, as well as Course Superintendent David Hobday filling in as his caddie for Round 1.
“Lukey held a shootout and was lucky enough to get invited to that. And that was my first time here. I played pretty well in that, so that was a bit of a confidence boost before this tournament,” McLeod said.
“I really enjoy it. Nice tree-lined golf course and if you hit it straight off the tee, you have a lot of opportunities.”
Playing a number of pro-ams around southern Queensland in recent months, McLeod’s time away from regular Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia golf has been more focused on significant life events, including becoming engaged to girlfriend Gabrielle.
“I got engaged like a month ago,” he said of his off-season.
“Straight after the Heritage (Classic) was my last one (tournament), I had a few weddings to go to, and then mum’s 60th we went away for, which was nice. And then got back into the practise and got engaged.”
The time off perhaps combining with the nuptials planned for next June to inspire McLeod’s strong start to the Regional Qualifying Series.
“It’s (getting married) not cheap, so I need to win a few of these,” he joked.
For the chasing pack, which includes five-time tournament winner Austin Bautista at 6-under alongside Douglas Klein and Coby Carruthers, birdies will be the order of the day for Round 2, when the field will again be set off via shotgun start, which will be a consistent theme across the Regional Qualifiers.
“Same as today”, Simpson said simply of his plans for the second round, which will be broadcast LIVE on Kayo Sports from 10 am – 3 pm Tuesday.
Adding of his opening round: “Holed a nice putt on the last (the 14th hole). I probably missed a couple I would have liked to have made with six holes to go, so it was nice to get a couple back there. Played pretty solid, I suppose, rolled a few putts in.”
A late bogey at his penultimate hole of the day saw Mackenzie drop out of a share of the lead, with the Lennox Head resident perhaps able to focus a little more on the task at hand come Tuesday after tracking the progress of his brother Daniel making his professional tournament debut on Monday.
“I was checking his score more than mine,” Mackenzie said of 18-year-old Daniel.
“He actually played alright, I think he had 1-over. I actually had to play alright today to beat him.
“I saw his first shot he hit to like five foot on the first hole. I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to be down early’, happy he played.”
Mackenzie, along with Simpson and the rest of the McLeod’s pursuers, turning their attention to not just the prizemoney on offer, but one of three spots at The Vintage in the Hunter Valley come November, where McLeod is hoping to for a second tilt at the Kel Nagle Cup.
“Love to win it again,” McLeod said of the Ford NSW Open.
“Back at The Vintage, enjoyed that track last year, so yeah, looking forward to getting back there.”
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