Back-to-back champion Matthew Docking
has continued where he left off, carding an opening round of 3-under 68 to join
Darren Garrett atop the leaderboard in the PGA Professionals Championship at
Hamilton Island Golf Club.

Starting on
the 10th tee, Docking opened with two straight birdies, though bogeys at 15 and
18 plus a double bogey at the 17^th quickly put the brakes on his momentum.

Docking managed
to rally, finding birdie at the 3rd followed by back-to-back eagles on the 5th and
6th holes, to move back into a position that he is very familiar with at
Hamilton Island.

"I played
nicely today and it was really only four holes where I leaked all of my shots,"
said Docking.

"You need to
drive it well around here to give yourself a chance and I hit two great drives
to set up eagles on both par five’s on the front nine"

Not as
familiar with the layout as Docking, Darren Garrett was happy with his strong
start given it is the West Australian’s first trip to Hamilton Island.

"This place
is amazing. The wind got up a little out there today but I was quite pleased with
the way I was able to manage my way around," said Garrett.

"I got really
lucky on the 17^th hole today when my ball, which was headed towards
the left trees, hit a rules official cart finishing on the edge of the fairway
and keeping what could have been a big number to a bogey."

One shot
behind the leaders is Concord Golf Club’s Mark Alison who had an up and down
day carding four bogeys, four birdies and an eagle to finish at 2-under the
card.

South
Australia’s Chris Duke sits one shot further back, while Queenslanders Brad
Burns and Craig Goodall round out the top-5 on even par.

In the
Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship Pierre Blais, Patrick Bowe and Danny
Barrow share the lead heading into the final round after each carded 37
stableford points. It will be a tight battle in the final round with 17 players
within four shots of the lead.