McIntosh heads day one of Queensland Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2005 Queensland Open | Round One | 03 Nov 2005
Big hitting Wollongong professional Brad McIntosh has taken the first step towards overcoming the disappointment of last year’s final-round washout with a superb 64 in the opening round of the Roadcon Group Queensland Open at Ipswich Golf Club.
McIntosh, 23, was one of three players who finished runner-up to Steve Bowditch in the 2004 Open, which was reduced to a 54-hole event after rain left the Ipswich layout unplayable.
“I was definitely a chance last year. I would have liked to have gone out for the final round,” McIntosh said today. “I like the greens here. I seem to putt pretty well on them.”
His putts today included a successful 12-footer for eagle after he hit the green with a booming tee shot on the par-four, 319m fourth hole.
“Obviously the par fours are set up for me here. I just bomb it down there and hopefully get it pretty straight. It just makes for easy birdies,” he said.
McIntosh holds a two-stroke lead from US-bound Ryan Haller, whose 66 included seven birdies.
“I putted pretty well and I got lucky on a few holes,” said 31-year-old Haller, the 2002 Open runner-up who heads to America on Wednesday for the second stage of US PGA Tour school.
“I didn’t play my best but I got away with it, so I was happy with that. I’m extremely focused this week. I haven’t won a Von Nida Tour event before.”
Three players – leading amateur Nathan Uebergang, Todd Morgan and Von Nida Tour Order of Merit leader Tony McFadyean – are equal third after rounds of five-under 67.
A further shot back on 68 are David Diaz, Leigh McKechnie, amateur Justin Maker, former Open winner Shane Tait, Shannon Jones and Martin Joyce.
Australian golfing luminary Peter Senior shot a one-under 71, while last week’s Queensland Masters winner Nick Flanagan finished with a disappointing one-over 73.
Source – Queensland PGA
