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Third-year PGA Trainee Cooper Eccleston has taken a one-shot lead after shooting a commanding 6-under 66 in the opening round of the PGA National Futures Championship.
Based at Victoria Park Golf Complex, Eccleston set a good foundation at even par after six holes but proceeded to put a sublime run together on the back-nine.
The Queenslander fired 5-under across the next four holes including an eagle on the par-5 10th which was shortly followed by another birdie on the par-5 14th.
Eccleston mastered Ballarat Golf Club’s four par-5s in 4-under, something he acknowledged was part of his game plan coming in.
“I love coming here, the course really suits my game. Some of the holes can be quite long, but you can take driver and really get reward particularly on the par fives,” Eccleston said.
“I probably took the driver a few more times then I should, but I’m not going to change anything tomorrow. I’ll just keep to my game plan and hopefully take advantage of these brilliant conditions.”
Trainees were treated to a superb Ballarat day for round one and they made the most of perfect scoring conditions early.
New Zealand Trainee Blair Riordan laid the gauntlet down early to his Australian counterparts, taking the lead in the morning with a round of 5-under 67 featuring an eagle on the par-5 7th hole on the Ballarat Golf Club layout.
Riordan says his relaxed attitude was a key to his performance.
“My strategy was to treat this week as a holiday, take the pressure off and just enjoy myself. It’s working well for me so far so hopefully it can continue,” Riordan said.
The morning field started in cool conditions, but as the mercury rose so did the performance of Frazer Droop (VIC) and Sasha Murton-Cooper (VIC), both carding impressive opening rounds of 4-under 68 to sit tied in third place.
A high-quality field of Trainees produced a bevy of impressive scores, with nearly a third of the field shooting even par or better and with more idyllic conditions forecasted the scoring is sure to impress once again.
Follow all the scores live through pga.org.au. Round two commences at 7:30am.
A talented field of the world’s best Trainee Professionals will tackle the Ballarat Golf Club layout from 22 October as they strive for the title of 2019 National Trainee Champion.
Australia’s top PGA Trainees will compete against the best Trainees from PGA Great Britain and Ireland, PGA of South Africa and PGA of New Zealand who, after flying in for the tournament, have their eyes set firmly on the title.
Known for the quality of fields it attracts, an impressive line-up of 96 Trainees will contest the Championship including 16 of the top 20 Trainees on Australia’s player rankings.
Victorian, Queensland and Western Australian State Trainee Champions Dale Crothers (Yarrawonga Mulwala Resort), Brayden Petersen (Asquith Golf Club) and John Boulton (Mt Lawley Golf Club) will be among the front-runners this week as they aim to take out the title.
Warm weather and hot scoring conditions are forecasted for Ballarat which has Ballarat Golf Club Head Professional, Dave Wallis, predicting some impressive scores to come in.
“Tuesday will be sunny, 24 degrees, but there’s no wind forecast which is rare to see for us, so I would expect some good scores to come in for Round 1,” Wallis said.
The tournament will take on a new look for the first two rounds with a Pro-Am format that will see amateurs playing alongside the Professionals during the tournament.
Ballarat Golf Club President, Wayne Hines, said the club was excited to be able to offer this opportunity.
“The Ballarat Golf Club is proud and privileged to host the National Futures Championship,” Hines said.
“To play alongside the professionals under tournament conditions is such a unique opportunity to offer our members and partners and it’s something we’re really looking forward to.”
The National Futures Championship is the world’s richest Trainee tournament and has been a world leader in gender equality, with the field consisting of male and female competitors playing for the same prize purse and title for over 25 years.
Three Victorians will represent the female cohort this year, with Joanna Flaherty from Commonwealth Golf Club, Emily Pell from Yarra Bend Golf Complex and Catherine Odgers from Woodlands Golf Club all looking to take it up to their male counterparts, and potentially becoming the first female winner in the event’s history.
An extra incentive is on offer for the winner of the National Futures Championship who also receives a place in the Australian PGA Championship field from 19-22 December.
The 2019 National Futures Championship will be played from 22-25 October at Ballarat Golf Club. Play commences Tuesday morning. Entry to the tournament is free for the public.
