Day burning up Coolum
Korean Joon-woo Choi has grabbed the early clubhouse lead at the Australian PGA with as 66, but Jason Day is charging hard.
South Korea’s Joon-woo Choi has grabbed the early clubhouse lead at the Australian PGA with as 66, but with Jason Day burning up the Coolum course, he might not still be there at day’s end.
Day, one of Australia’s most exciting major prospects, seems to have shrugged away his relatively ordinary form at last week’s President’s Cup and currently looms as a major threat to the course record of 62 after blazing through the turn in just 31 strokes, thanks to six birdies and a bogey.
Adam Scott, Australia’s highest ranked golfer right now, is also in the frame after a horror back nine that included a triple bogey, a double bogey and a pair of bogeys that left him at plus five.
Undaunted, Scott showed great courage and tenacity to hit back on the front nine – he had teed off on the 10th – with six birdies in seven holes to the 7th to finish with a 70.
Scott’s woes stemmed largely from three visits to the water in four holes from the 11th.
Choi, in the meantime, was another who didn’t have a perfect day, dropping a shot on either side of the turn, but he otherwise found the course to his liking as he also collected an eagle and four birdies.
Also back in the clubhouse just a shot adrift of Choi on 67 was American Presidents Cup star Bubba Watson, who had six birdies and a bogey, and New South Welshman Aaron Townsend who had five birdies on a flawless day.
Victorian Marcus Fraser, Kiwi Josh Geary and Kang-chun Wu from China are tied for fifth at 4-under while British Open champion Darren Clarke, triple Australian PGA winner Robert Allenby, the International Presidents Cup star KT Kim and Aaron Baddeley are among a large group in eighth place at three under.
Rain has started to fall as the afternoon wears on and the temperature has dipped to about 24 degrees, but predicted storms have not yet arrived even though thunder has been heard rumbling and the south-easterly wind is now gusting at close to 30km/h.
Latest
-
NewsA little more relaxation brings a little more action for Rory McIlroy at US Open
The Northern Irishman shot 67 on the opening day to sit two behind clubhouse leader Justin Thomas.
-
NewsPrayers answered for Rory McIlroy as US Open hopeful makes speedy start
The Northern Irishman is two shots off the lead after an opening 67 at Winged Foot.
-
NewsRory McIlroy makes strong start at US Open
The Northern Irishman is bidding to claim a first major title since the 2014 US PGA Championship.
-
NewsWATCH: Tiger, Rory, Rahm and DJ on what makes Winged Foot so difficult
Golf’s big buns give their thoughts on the tough test that lies ahead at the US Open.
-
NewsWATCH: Social media star pays tribute to Mickelson with special US Open song
Take a listen to the most heartfelt and emotional song about Phil Mickelson ever created.
-
News5 talking points ahead of the 120th US Open
We look at five talking points ahead of the year’s second major championship
-
NewsAll eyes on USGA when the 120th US Open gets under way at Winged Foot
The fact that last year’s championship took place without controversy over the set up of the course was a welcome relief for the organisation.
-
US OpenTiger Woods ranks Winged Foot as one of the most difficult courses ever
Tiger Woods is under no illusions as to the challenges facing the field when the US Open tees off at Winged Foot on Thursday.
-
NewsOn This Day in 2004: US power couple Phil and Tiger tamed by Europe at Ryder Cup
Woods and Mickelson were ranked second and fourth in the world respectively but Montgomerie and Harrington bested them.
-
NewsRory McIlroy out to end major drought – with help from the ‘Nappy Factor’
McIlroy’s wife Erica gave birth to the couple’s first child, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, two weeks ago.