Rumford, Ott share early lead in Adelaide
BY iseekgolf.com | Web.com Tour | 2007 Jacob's Creek Open | Round One | 15 Feb 2007
Australian Brett Rumford and American Brad Ott are the afternoon clubhouse leaders on day one of the Jacob’s Creek Golf Open at Kooyonga in Adelaide.
Both players shot rounds of 6 under 66 and are currently one shot ahead of a group of six players including Peter Wilson, Greg Chalmers, Ben Bunny and Americans Michael Sims, Mike Capone and John Brown.
Rumford and Ott made the most of perfect early conditions as they both shot rounds including seven birdies and one bogey each.
Rumford, named as an early favourite by tour stalwart Craig Parry showed why he is renowned for his short game. He had 27 putts for the day including a valuable 20-foot birdie attempt on the fourth.
The Perth-born player began his round on the back-nine and made a shaky start with a bogey on the par-four 11th. He bounced back immediately, picking up shots on the next two holes and then another on the 17th.
His front-nine was the steadier part of his round with four birdies and five pars.
The 29-year-old said his round had been “scrappy” and believes there’s plenty of room for improvement – especially with his long game.
“The par fives I didn’t really take advantage of today at all only one under for the par fives and they’re all reachable so I guess that’s going to be my key for tomorrow, just try and get the ball in play off the tee,” he said.
“The conditions were favourable for scoring, the greens are perfect; you couldn’t get any better surface than what’s out there at the moment.”
Ott from Dallas, Texas started slowly on the back nine with five pars and a bogey in the first five holes. He picked up, however, with five birdies on the next seven holes and picked up two shots with birdies on the final two.
One shot behind on four under are Peter Senior, Craig Scott and Scott Gardiner.
Source – PGA Tour
