Strong winds from the south-east and the small greens at Lismore Workers Golf Club meant that only two players broke par all day… and it was enough for the win.

Rix set the mark in the morning wave with three birdies and two bogeys in his round of 69, Backwell finishing strongly to join Rix at the top of the leaderboard.

Victorious in a major amateur event at Lismore back in 1986, Backwell was thrilled to experience much success in the Northern Rivers.

“I still remember that tournament. I actually tied with Mark Wilson who was one of the senior guys out here,” Backwell recalled.

“We had a three-hole playoff, aggregate, and I got him there.

“I’ve been coming here a long time and played with some good friends of mine today and have lots of good memories of Lismore.”

HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED

Starting with a birdie on his opening hole, the par-5 15th, Rix made the most of the morning conditions.

He moved to 2-under with a birdie at the par-4 18th but found himself back at even par after bogeys at three and nine.

A two at the 121-metre par-3 11th got Rix back into red figures, closing out his round with pars at each of his final three holes.

In perhaps something of an omen, Backwell also began his round on the 15th hole but did his best work late in the round.

A bogey at 17 was countered by a birdie at the par-3 second before Backwell added a second birdie at the par-5 sixth to get to 1-under.

Back-to-back bogeys on eight and nine looked to have ended his hopes of victory but late birdies on 12 and 13 would prove to be enough.

WHAT THE WINNER SAID

“It was a pretty strong breeze coming from the south-east and the greens are quite small here,” said Backwell.

“I find that there are a bunch of wedge holes but there are also a bunch where I’m hitting 5, 6, 7-irons in, so you’ve got to hit some nice iron shots or chip and putt well.

“I drove it beautifully and hit a lot of really nice iron shots. Missed a couple of up-and-downs that I should have made but I did make some as well.”

LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1        Gregory Rix                  69
T1        Richard Backwell          69
3          David Fearns                70
T4        David Crawford            72
T4        Roland Baglin               72
T4        Guy Wall                      72

NEXT UP

The PGA Legends Tour heads north to Brisbane on Wednesday for the inaugural Ashgrove Legends Pro-Am at Ashgrove Golf Course.