Lombard leads down under
Zander Lombard defied difficult playing conditions to grab the overnight lead in the first round of the Australian PGA Championship on Thursday.
Lombard was one of only six players to break par on the day, with the high winds in Queensland keeping many away from the fairways of the RAVC Royal Pines Resort.
Starting on the back nine, the South African stayed bogey-free for the entire round and shot birdies on the 17th, ninth, sixth, third and second holes to post a five-under 67.
The 20-year-old, who turned professional just 12 months ago, said the performance was one of the best of his career.
“I played really well. It got tricky out there. All round, it’s one of my better rounds,” he told FOX Sports.
“I shot a 64 twice back home but it’s definitely one of my most professional rounds in terms of hitting the ball in the right areas, getting pars.’’
Lombard currently holds a two-shot lead, with England's Mark Foster in second and South Africa's Dylan Frittelli and New Zealander Ashley Hall tied for third on two-under.
Foster shot six birdies and three bogeys, while Frittelli shot one bogey and three birdies to briefly hold the clubhouse lead and Hall shot four birdies and two bogeys.
Todd Sinnott and Adam Stephens, Hall's compatriots, are two shots back on one-under.
Meanwhile, the tournament's top draw card Brandt Snedeker is currently tied for 150th on 12-over after shooting eight bogeys, two double bogeys and a single birdie.
Latest
-
ScotlandKeith Pelley says new European Tour calendar could be ‘glimpse into the future’
The English Open has been revived as part of the new schedule.
-
ScotlandEuropean Tour to resume from July with six successive UK-based tournaments
Close House Golf Club, near Newcastle, will host the British Masters on July 22.
-
UKAll the key questions answered about the English Open’s return
The event was last staged in 2002.
-
ScotlandLee Westwood hopeful British Masters will go ahead in July
The tournament at Close House, scheduled to start on July 30, is set to be the first European Tour event since the coronavirus crisis halted action.
-
UKRory McIlroy predicts the Ryder Cup will not go ahead this year
The world number one believes it would be the ‘right call’ to push the event back to 2021.
-
UKTiger Woods and Peyton Manning win charity golf match for Covid-19 relief
The exhibition match, against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady, raised 20 million dollars.
-
ScotlandWil Besseling edges out Connor Syme to claim victory in BMW Indoor Invitational
The Dutchman finished third and second in the first two weeks of the home-based competition.
-
ScotlandTiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to meet again in Florida charity event
NFL stars Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will also be involved.
-
NewsDonald Trump delighted to see golf return and wants other sports to follow
The US President was among the viewers watching the TaylorMade Driving Relief.
-
NewsDonald Trump deflects Rory McIlroy’s vow to not play with him again
The US President phoned in as McIlroy played in a Sunday fundraiser for coronavirus victims.