Queensland Open Round 1 & 2

After the 2nd round of the Isuzu Queensland Open I have shot scores of 77 (+6) and 75 (+4) to be 10 over total missing the cut hitting 9 greens 32 putts in the 1st round and 8 greens 31 putts in the 2nd.

For the 1st round I was out in the morning with perfect conditions ahead for the day. The course was in fantastic condition with greens at a premium for good scores. Starting off the 1st I gave myself 2 solid opportunities to try and capitalize on some easy holes before I get into what I call the front nine amen corner at Brisbane Golf Club from 3m and 8m, making pars. I made a great momentum save for par at 3 and another opportunity was seen for the birdie at 4 from 5m but yet again another par.

The 5th presented the tee shot and I hit a fat 4iron. A club choice that is already short off the tee if flushed made even shorter hitting it heavy. My 2nd sat down in the rough and had 210m over water and hit the 3iron in the water, not carrying the needed 175m. Missing the green with 7iron short right form the drop and not making up and down to walk away with a triple bogey. After driving to the front edge of the par 4 6th I left the birdie chance 4m from the hole. Just not good enough from that easy position. Missing the birdie putt the ball sat an inch from the hole. Casually going to tap it in I topped the ball and it came up short. Probably the closest putt I have missed in my career. Very low point and a big disappointment.

I tried hard to make up for it and I did my best over the closing holes on the front nine. Gosh 4 over through 6! I was 13m off the green at 7 and rolled in the birdie to gather at least one back. Another green in reg at 8 from 6m came close and set up a 2m eagle chance at 9 walking away with a birdie. Weird way to say this but a disappointing but “I’ll kinder take it type of finish” to a nightmare nine holes.

As I took the turn into the back nine amen corner 10 to 13 I knew I had to get through this stretch if not under par then even. Being slightly out of play with my drive off 10 of which I thought was perfect, I knocked my 60 wedge to the back edge of the green with a front flag. From 13m I came up short on a tricky down hill left to right putt from 2m, making a 3 putt bogey and killing all the momentum I quickly built.

I still fought on. Trying to muster all my experience to turn the momentum. I made a great save on a par 3 from a hill before turning into a tight shoot off the tee par 5. Knocking the drive in the fairway 171m out I hit a 7iron into the hazard and I deflated. I just simply did not have it and a few holes later I had a doubled bogey on 14.

At the start of round 2 being 6 over I had to produce something special if I was to make the cut which stood at +1 after round 1 and starting on the back nine amen corner I had 2 over through the 1st 4 holes and my tournament was done.

I used the rest of the holes to continue to work on my game before I tee it up at Long Reef for the New South Wales Open Pre Q on Monday. So back at home on the Northern Beaches teeing off at 8.30am. Currently 18th reserve on getting straight in at the moment.

Currently I am also going to have to Pre Q for the Australian Open come the following Monday. 26th reserve on getting straight in.

Over the last 6 rounds during these state championships I did not draw blood 1st having bogies every time before making my 1st birdie which made it difficult.

Thanks to all who have made these events possible for all of us professionals.