Round one of the Cadbury Schweppes South Australian PGA Championship has been completed without a clear favourite emerging from the tightly congested group of competitors.

Victorian's David Diaz and Luke Hickmott have opened their accounts with four-under par 68's at the Tanunda Pines layout.

Playing in the tougher morning conditions Diaz maintained the form that saw him take away the Victorian Open title earlier this year, his six birdie performance, equalling the best of the day.

A more consistent performance from Hickmott puts him in contention going into day two. The rookie Victorian looking to claim his maiden tour victory in a year that has already uncovered future stars.

Former NSW PGA Champion Chris Downes was the first to card a 69, tallying six birdies and an eagle en route to his total. It appeared that the 3 under total may have been good enough to lead the morning field as players failed to shoot the low scores that were predicted during practice. He was joined by this year's National Australia Bank Victorian PGA winner Steven Jeffress, Eddie Barr, Neven Basic, Craig Carmichael along with the leading South Australian David Lutterus all firing three-under par rounds.

Of the six Amateurs invited into the field Peter Cooke fired a morning round of 70 to open his campaign.

Lucas Bates achieved every golfers dream on the 16th today making the competitions first hole in one.

Players are hoping to experience warmer conditions tomorrow to take a stranglehold of the 6152 metre layout.

Source - PGA Australia
Photo - Anthony Powter

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