Curtain shines, Draper struggles at Victorian Open
IN: News | Von Nida | Victorian Open (2005) | Round One | 28 Jan 2005
In fine and warm with conditions with a mild northerly wind licking the immaculate Woodlands layout, young Victorian professional Michael Curtain holds the lead halfway through the opening day of the 2005 Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open.
Curtain returned a six-under-par round of 66 to be leading by 2 strokes from Queenslander Marcus Cain and Victorians David McKenzie, Michael Harwood and Paul Sheehan who are all still out on the course at 4 under.
Early interest in the morning groups centered around tennis professional Scott Draper playing his first major tournament while at the same time competing in the Australian Open tennis.
Draper was paired with former Australian Open champion Peter Fowler and former Vic Open champion Mike Clayton and attracted much media attention and a large gallery.
The multi-talented Draper showed great form continually out driving his experienced partners and turned one over after nine holes but faltered on the back nine in the tricky wind conditions to finish with a seven-over 79.
US Amateur Champion Nick Flanagan was sitting on one under 71 along with nine others including amateur Steve Symons from Geelong.
With several European Tour players competing along with many from the Asian Tour, the 2005 Vic Open is looking to be one of the strongest fields in years.
