Nathan Green leads blustery Australian Open
IN: News | Australasian PGA | Australian Open (2006) | Round One | 16 Nov 2006
Newcastle's Nathan Green has claimed the outright lead on a wintry opening day at the 2006 MFS Australian Open at Royal Sydney.
Nathan Green Interview
*Audio by Bruce Young
In conditions described as freezing by earlier finisher, US Open Champion Geoff Ogilvy who completed his round at even par, Green finished his round on a high, closing with a birdie on the 18th and coming home with 32 on the front nine to be five under, 67 after 18 holes.
Despite a 3am wake up due to nerves as he faced partnering his childhood hero Greg Norman, Green was deservedly pleased with his round in tough conditions.
"I was really nervous actually because I hadn't played with Greg before and I woke up at about 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I just wanted to get off to a good start and make a lot of pars and I did that."
Green's round of 67 included six birdies and one bogey as he finished 13 shots ahead of Norman who shot a 7 over 79 and 11 shots ahead of the third in the grouping, 17-year-old Matthew Giles who shot 5 over.
2004 MasterCard Masters champion Richard Green finished at 3 under alongside 2006 Nationwide Tour graduate Jarrod Lyle.
Richard Green Interview
*Audio by Bruce Young
2005 Jacobs Creek Open winner Steve Bowditch is currently T4 on 3 under after 3 with Ryan Haller.
Two-time champion Aaron Baddeley, who won the event as an 18-year-old amateur the last time it was played at Royal Sydney in 1999, had two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey to the turn, and added birdie and bogey doubles thereafter to shoot 75.
Tournament favourite Adam Scott is currently on 1 over after 7 with defending champion Robert Allenby also one over after 6 and 2001 winner Stuart Appleby two over after 7.
Source - PGA Tour
