Fiery Kennedy leads field in Asian Q-School Final
BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2006 Asian Tour Q-School - Final Stage | Round One | 11 Jan 2006
Brad Kennedy of Australia got off to a flying start when he took the first round lead at the Asian Tour 2006 Qualifying School Final Stage today.
The Australian fired a superb 10-under-par 62 as countryman Robin James Hodgetts trailed in second by three strokes at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club’s Allamanda Course in Senai, Johor. Australian Jason King made his way to third position when he carded a 66.
It was a four-way battle for fourth position when Australian Matt Keegan, Scotland’s Ross Bain, Ecuador’s Rafael Ponce and Oh Jun-seok of Korea were tied five strokes off the pace.
South African duo of Martin Maritz and Garth Mulroy were tied in eighth position when they both scored 68s at the Cempaka Course. Players who carded similar scores on the Allamanda Course were American Scott Taylor, Australian Ewan Porter, Korea’s Lee Sung-man and Park Jun-won, Japan’s Eiji Mizoguchi and England’s Chris Gill.
Kennedy set the pace through the backnine when he birdied the first four holes. Three more birdies on the 15th, 16th and a 10 foot putt on the 17th hole launched him to the front of the pack.
“I have never had such a good score after nine holes so I was quite pleased,” said the leader, who went on to birdie the par five third, par four sixth and par five seventh holes as he walked away bogey-free.
“This is a good start for me as I hope to continue my momentum tomorrow,” said Kennedy.
“I followed my own pace, took it a step at a time and was comfortable with my strokes. The weather held up too, that was good,” he said.
Local talent S. Murthy was the highest ranked local golfer when he was tied 16th on 69 at the Cempaka Course.
Philippines Sea Games gold medalist Juvic Pagunsan, who dominated the amateur level the past two years, carded a 71 at the Allamanda Course and was tied in 51st position. He managed five birdies and four bogeys.
“It was tough today and I am satisfied with my score. But I will try to produce a better result tomorrow if I wish to secure my spot for the third round,” said Pagunsan.
Each golfer will have to play both courses and only the top 100 and ties after round two make it to the third round on Friday. The players are vying for the 40 tour cards at stake.
Source – Asian Tour
