Amateur Rankin upstages pros at QLD Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2007 Queensland Open | Round One | 25 Oct 2007
21-year-old Queensland amateur Brett Rankin celebrated his recent inclusion in Golf Australia’s National Squad by upstaging the professionals in the first round of the City Pacific – Mirvac Queensland Open Championship at Gainsborough Greens today.
Rankin, who recently made his second appearance in the Queensland State amateur team, shot an opening round of 64 (8 under par) in benign early conditions. The highlight of the round was a final hole eagle. A solitary bogey on the 435m par 4 12th hole was the only blemish on an otherwise impressive scorecard.
“I was stoked with the way I played today, I stayed really composed and patient throughout the round,” said Rankin later today, from his part-time job at the Golf Mania Driving range at Manly.
In a day of excellent scoring where 57 players broke par, Rankin holds a slender one stroke lead over Queensland professional Andrew Duffin. Duffin got his round off to a great start, with birdies on the first three holes.
Big-hitting Victorian Craig Scott, experienced Western Australian Chris Gray and Ryan Haller (Queensland) are a further shot back on 66. Paul Donahoo – the winner of the Cairns Classic on the Von Nida tour last week, backed up his success in Far North Queensland with a 67, despite having played in considerable discomfort with a sore tooth.
Tournament drawcards Peter Senior, Lucas Parsons, Chris Downes and Anthony Painter are in a large group well-positioned after first rounds of 69.
A brief but heavy rain shower just after lunch forced a 35 minute delay to play.
Play continues tomorrow, with the second round to commence at 6:10 am.
Source – Golf Queensland
