Devonport Golf Club Head Professional Darren Spencer has made the early move at the 2014 PGA Professionals Championship taking the first round lead after an opening round of an even par 71.

The players were greeted by benign conditions in the morning but the wind increased significantly as the day progressed for the opening round of the PGA Professional Championship and Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship. With the conditions changing it made the already challenging layout more testing but two time champion Spencer managed to adjust to the conditions. He was the only player in the field to shoot even par, setting himself up beautifully to challenge for the title once again.

There are a number of players hunting Spencer including 2012 champion Nathan King (72), Victorians Michael Farone and Matthew Docking plus New South Wales Pro’s Nicholas Robb and David Van Raalte who all shot rounds of 2-over 73.

Spencer played the tournament in 2012 so he had good knowledge of the course and it’s conditions, calling on his previous experiences to navigate his way around the tough layout.

"I played really nicely today and although, l would have taken even par at the start of the day when I had six birdies and an eagle it certainly feels like I left a few out there."

"The 13th hole played bit hard today. After hitting in the hazard off the tee, l proceeded to hit my third left off the green and eventually walked off with an eight to kill any momentum l had going, as l was 4-under at the time."

Tournament Director Broc Greenhalgh said that the course showed it’s diversity today.

"The beauty of this layout is it can change from one day to the next and often, from the morning to the afternoon. This year the course is actually playing a little softer than the previous two years with the wind out of the north, it is still by no means easy out there."

"We have a really bunched leaderboard and a couple of exciting days coming up. Some of our leading Vocational Members thrive on the opportunity to showcase their skills and this week is certainly no different".

Tomorrow’s second round, will kick off at 7:45am where players can expect similar to the conditions to that faced today and Darren Spencer teeing off at 8:35am.

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