Double eagles give Lambert the VIC PGA lead

BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2007 Victorian PGA Championship | Round One | 25 Jan 2007

Back-to-back eagles have rocketed rookie golf professional Tristan Lambert into the outright lead after round one of the nab Victorian PGA Championship.

The 23-year-old from Sydney accomplished the rare feat by sinking a long putt on the downwind fifth hole and then backing up on the next by holing his second shot with a nine-iron.

His wonderful opening score of 64 – eight under par – equals the course record at the Greg Norman-designed Sanctuary Lakes course in Melbourne.

Scott Draper, the interim tennis coach of Lleyton Hewitt, also hit a purple patch of form as he adapted quickly to an entirely different playing environment.

The former Davis Cup star recovered from a slow start to produce a spectacular run of five consecutive birdies and post an opening round of 70.

Being able to break par despite such a poor preparation will make it even more difficult for Draper to make a decision whether to take on a full-time role as Hewitt’s coach or resume his career as a tournament golfer.

However he has indicated that he will make up his mind after completing 36 holes of the PGA Championship.

“I still haven’t made a decision,” said Draper, whose wife is expecting their first child. “This is a very important decision to make. I will be speaking to my wife again tonight. And I will be speaking to Lleyton. It’s hard to decide between the safe road and following my dreams. Taking the coaching option seems to be the most logical step. But I have a real passion for golf.”

Lambert, 23, has had an immediate impact on the professional golf scene since recently graduating from the Australian Institute of Sport program.

In his first pro tournament he hit the ground running and was in contention for a long way before eventually losing a three-way play-off for the Queensland Open.

Two months on his name is once again on top of the leader board, mainly thanks to an inward nine holes that he completed in just 29 strokes.

“I am comfortable going low,” Lambert said. “I’ve done it before a few times and it feels good. When I get on a roll I just try to keep it going.”

Michael Brennan (NSW) shot a bogey-free 65 to lie in second place alongside Jason Norris (SA).

Sharing fourth spot on 66 were West Australian Kim Felton, Ewan Porter, Kurt Barnes (NSW) and Victorian Cameron Percy.

While a large group of players, including trick-shot wizard Henry Epstein, signed for a 67.

Beyondblue ambassador and pre-tournament favourite Steven Bowditch has improved his attention span since being taking medication for depression.

And he used that more settled approach to quite good effect in recording a 69 to be five shots off the pace.

Jon Abbott has consulted a sports psychologist since losing his swing and making national headlines during the Australian Masters.

In his first big event since that drama unfolded, the Victorian golfer set out with the goal of exorcising those demons.

After finishing with a 71 he walked off the 18th green at Sanctuary Lakes with a huge smile that was in stark contrast to the tears on show at Huntingdale.

Source – Von Nida Tour