Hickmott fires 62 at Queensland Open

BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2006 Queensland Open | Round One | 26 Oct 2006

It was a case of a fast start and a fast finish for 25-year-old Victorian Luke Hickmott on the morning of day one of the Roadcon Group Queensland Open Championship.

Luke Hickmott Interview

Hickmott turned in seven under par 29 and at that point had opened up a four shot lead. The heat went out of his round through the opening few holes of his back nine, dropping a shot at the 13th hole but three consecutive birdies to finish saw him complete his best round ever in a four round event. Hickmott finished with a ten under par 62.

“I didn’t really hit the ball all that well on the front nine but made a lot of putts then funnily enough the reverse happened on the back nine,” said Hickmott. “I started to hit the ball well but began to struggle a little on the greens until the last few holes.”

A switch to a belly putter last week has made the difference. “It was suggested by a friend and I tried it for the first time last week and really like it. I was not going to use it in the event in Townsville but was pleased I did and even more pleased now. I can’t see it leaving the bag for a while.”

“It’s been a pretty ordinary year for me both in Canada and Asia but things are starting to turn around now. This is my best round in tournament golf as such. I did have an 11 under par round in a pro am but this is my best in a four round event.”

A professional for two years after an amateur career that saw him amongst Australia’s best, Hickmott has played on both the Asian and Canadian Tours but will be focusing his attention in Canada in 2007.

“I really enjoy playing Canada and it is close to the US therefore creating opportunities to play Nationwide Tour events when I can get a start.”

Local golfer Adam Blyth has also made a dream start with a first round of seven under par 65. An eagle, six birdies and a bogey was the mix of the round and the man who has established himself on the Asian Tour in his two years as a professional is on track for yet another good finish in this event. Blyth has finished third and fifth as an amateur in previous Queensland Opens at the Ipswich Golf Club.

“I have always enjoyed it here,” said Blyth after the round. “The people are great to me here and the golf course for some reason just seems to fit my eye.”

“I got off to a good steady start and in fact had to make a couple of good putts for pars early but an eagle at the 8th kick started the round. I actually pulled my tee shot but there but then hit a two iron to four feet and made it and got things going. I then birdied the 9th and got on a bit of a roll on the way in.”

Queenslander Troy Kennedy is in third place alone the completion of morning play after an opening 67 while included in the large group at four under is the Australian Amateur Champion Tim Stewart.

Two of the pre tournament favourites Brad Kennedy (68) and Peter Senior (69 have made solid if unspectacular starts.

Much of the talk of the morning was the inclusion in the field of the 15-year-old amateur Adam Verity originally from Sydney but now attending the Hills Educational Facility near Jimboomba, a school which has produced the likes of Jason Day and others in recent years.

Verity received the thrill of his golfing life yesterday when he was advised that he would be playing in the event. The late withdrawal of Lucas Parsons due to a niggling back ailment created the opening for Verity to tee it up after he had finished as the first alternate at qualifying for the event on Monday.

The inclusion in the tournament was not Verity’s only excitement for the day. With Parsons’ withdrawal coming after the draw for the tournament had been determined, he would slot into the vacancy left. As a result Verity teed it up with Queensland golfing legend Peter Senior and leading Queensland amateur golfer Andrew Dodt.

Verity finished with an opening round of even par 72. “It was a great experience and Peter was really good to me and talked on the way round about the importance of keeping going even if the putts weren’t dropping. I was stoked to learn I was in the tournament and even more so to learn that I was playing with Peter. It was a great day but I was little disappointed that I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities I created.”

Chris Sarquis recorded his first ever hole in one at the par three second today when he holed a seven iron from 165 metres.