Hopes of an Australian PGA Sunday showdown between Cam Smith and Adam Scott are on course after the star pair opened the match with spectacular rounds at Royal Queensland.
Scott, the 2013 Masters winner, was the clubhouse chief after taking pictures a five-under par 66, whereas Smith, the reigning British Open champion, was two pictures again after a first-round 68.
Teeing off at 6am Queensland time in a marquee group that included New Zealand star Ryan Fox (one-over 72), Scott and Smith had been pleasantly shocked with the hundreds of followers who didn’t let the early begin deter them from seeing their heroes dwell in motion.
“It was nice,” Scott mentioned/.
“It was extremely early, however as we had been strolling out to the tee folks had been streaming out to the golf course and so they need to.
“It’s nice to see everybody popping out. It’s thrilling that Cam’s coming dwelling to play off the again of the 12 months that he’s had.
“We had a powerful group. ‘Cunning’ as nicely has performed nice.”
Scott described himself because the group’s “third wheel” however he was the star of the present on Thursday with a spherical that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
“The circumstances couldn’t be higher and also you wish to reap the benefits of these morning rounds,” he mentioned.
“General there was some good strong play from me right now.”
Smith began slowly. Teeing off on the tenth, he was one over after 9 holes, earlier than snaring three birdies over his remaining 9 holes.
“I undoubtedly felt just a little bit drained this morning – the mind was just a little bit foggy,” the world No.3 mentioned.
“I discovered it laborious to actually focus on the market and decide to pictures … however it got here across the again 9 and completed nicely.
“I did what I needed to do. ‘Scotty’ was taking part in very nice. He’s coming into some kind, the ‘previous fella” so he is likely to be laborious to chase down over the weekend.”
Reigning match champion Jed Morgan, taking part in within the group behind Scott and Smith, opened up his title defence with a one-under 70.
