Fairfax fires a 63 to lead at Keperra

BY Anthony Powter | Queensland Mens Tour | 2010 Keperra Bowl | Round Three | 13 May 2010

A course equalling 9-under-par, 63, has given Gavin Fairfax an eight stroke margin over Blake McGrory and Marika Batibasaga moving into the final round of the Keperra Bowl in Brisbane.

Fairfax has fired rounds of 64-70-63 to be currently at 19-under-par and displayed precision golf today around the Keperra Country Club. Fairfax’s 63 shares the course record along wth Rick Kulacz, Kevin Lee and Max McCardle.

“I was able to get my tee shots into the right position to attack the greens out there today,” remarked Fairfax after his round.

“This is a course where you can get a few birdies on the front nine. I was able to get it to 9-under early and just hang in there. We’ll see what tomorrow brings, but certainly I like to get a “W” under my belt."

Fairfax, who plays out of Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane, finished 4th at this event last year and comes into the Keperra Bowl with a quarter-final appearance at last week’s Queensland Amateur. His best finish in a main amateur event is a 3rd at the 2009 Queensland Amateur Medal. Fairfax is set to go that extra yard and is at ease with where he is and what lays ahead with the Keperra layout.

“I’ve been here a few times before over the year,” says 21-year-old Fairfax.

“You can learn to plot your way around and then attack this course when you need to. I managed to do that today and kept my mistakes to a minimum.”

Despite enjoying a massive eight stroke margin moving into the final round, Fairfax remains coy about his prospects in securing his first National Trial event title.

“Let’s see how it pans out tomorrow,” he says.

“I know if I continue to play solid and smart, that I should do okay. I’ll stick to my game plan tomorrow and that should get the job done.”

Fairfax’s nearest rivals McGrory and Batibasaga will certainly need to go low in tomorrow’s final round to erode the eight stroke margin.

Realistically to have any chance the challengers need to shoot in the low 60’s, assuming that Fairfax doesn’t implode.

Also keep an eye out for world number eight, Jin Jeong, who is nine behind Fairfax.

Jeong has the game to card a low 60 round and certainly has the experience to play well in the closing stretches of top events having already won the Tasmanian Open and Riversdale Cup this season.

These players need to make a move tomorrow. Fairfax, however, can just stay in the groove and let the others catch him.

“That’s the idea, just to stick to my game plan and play smart golf,” says Fairfax, who plans to move to Augusta State to play the US Collegiate system later in the year.

“The rest can chase me down. I’ll be trying to get into the my own groove and just get the job done. I know my way around here pretty well and it will make for a great final day.”

Fairfax has held the lead here at Keperra since Tuesday’s opening round of 64.

A wire-to-wire victory would certainly be impressive, as he attempts to join previous winners at Keperra that include Marc Leishman (2005), Andrew Tampion (2006), Andrew Dodt (2007) and Matt Griffin (2008), all of whom have gone out to secure Tour cards on the world golfing stage.

With plans to venture to the US later in the year, Fairfax is at the doorstep of change and a win tomorrow would certainly be well deserved.