South Australian Gary Simpson leads QLD PGA
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2004 Queensland PGA | Round One | 12 Nov 2004
32-year-old South Australian, Gary Simpson, is getting to like the Gold Coast. Five weeks ago he won the $100,000 ABC Learning Centres Pro Am at Royal Pines and The Glades and today he has opened with a first round 63 to lead Toyota Queensland PGA Championship going into round two.
A back nine of 28, when playing in the more difficult afternoon conditions, saw Simpson storm up the leaderboard to lead by one over New South Wales’ Glenn Kelly and Queenslander Michael Wright.
Simpson spends the winter at home in South Australia working in the pro shop at The Vines of Reynella Golf Club and mixes that with playing opportunities when he can. He is considering heading to Asia in early 2005 to attend the Tour School there. “I’d like to play more but I am keen to get a sponsor on board,” said Simpson. If he keeps playing like he did today that problem (lack of sponsor) might not exist for too long.
Starting with eight consecutive pars, Simpson holed a putt of fifteen feet at his 9th hole (course’s 18th) for his first birdie of the day, although it gave little indication of what was to come. An eagle at his par five 11th (the course’s 2nd) set up a homeward nine of eight under 28 and the round of 63. It was a brilliant exhibition.
Glenn Kelly and Michael Wright, who led for much of the day after their morning rounds of 64, will start tomorrow in second position with the group at 65 being Brad Parker, Graham Sheppard and Jason Norris.
The tournament drawcards were out in the breezy afternoon conditions and found the going just a little more difficult than those of the morning.
Peter Senior got to five under through 14 holes before an out of bounds at the 15th saw him drop a shot. He managed a 69 and is still well enough placed especially with the prospect of morning conditions tomorrow. His playing partner and birthday boy, Jason Day, was around in 70 with the third in their group, Gavin Flint, a 71.
Scott Hend had 69, Scott Gardiner a 68, Terry Price a 70 and professional debutante, James Nitties, a 69. Jason Day, who turned just 17 today, was around in two under 70.
Round two of the tournament begins at 6.30 EST tomorrow with the cut to the top fifty professionals and ties, made tomorrow evening before 36 holes on Sunday. Given similar conditions tomorrow, the cut appears likely to fall around the four under mark.
Source – PGA Australia
