Brennan shoots 63 to take QLD Open lead
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2007 Queensland Open | Round Three | 27 Oct 2007
The Queensland Open has had some close finishes in the past but with fifteen players within six strokes of the lead, the tournament is still wide open. Gainsborough Greens turned out more fortunate conditions for the players on day three and the scoring showed with 30 players carding sub par rounds, none better than Michael Brennan’s nine under par 63.
Over the past 12 months Michael Brennan, from the small Northern NSW town of Grafton, has arguably been one of the most promising players in Australian professional golf. After a second place at the 2006 Cairns Classic, Brennan has found the form that many have known for a long time. He then followed that performance up by a tied second position at the Queensland PGA Championship at Emerald Lakes and in April this year made it three top 5 finishes in five starts on the Von Nida Tour by narrowly missing a playoff for the South Australian PGA Championship. That form has once again continued at the 2007 City Pacific – Mirvac QLD Open with the round of the tournament thus far, 9 under par 63 but more importantly 15 under for the tournament.
“It was one of those days where I just gave myself plenty of opportunities and it was great to be able to consolidate on most of those opportunities.”
After a solid performance at the Cairns Classic last week, Adam Bland has also found himself hungrier than ever before. His two victories on the Canadian Tour this year have set him in good stead for an attack on the European Tour School in just two weeks time, but a victory at Gainsborough Greens this week would be the ideal preparation.
“These two weeks have been great for me preparation for European Tour School and with the strong fields that have played in both events, a win would really do my confidence the world of good.”
Bland mentioned as he carded a third consecutive sub par round, with a four under par round of 68 to be 14 under for the tournament, one behind Brennan.
As mentioned though there were a number of players making their move to become the 2007 Queensland Open Champion on what is commonly known as moving day.
Queenslander Ryan Haller, Euan Walters and amateur Brett Rankin all shot 67, Haller booking himself a spot in the last group on Sunday. Ben Bunny, who has competed in the last two British Opens, started his move along with Martin Doyle and Craig Davis, who shot great rounds of 66 to put themselves in great potions heading into the final round.
It is set to be a thrilling finish and with crowds due to soar with the great weather predicted the Adam Scott Foundation are looking forward to reaping the rewards with all spectators encouraged to support the tournament by making a small donation entry to the charity. The final group of Haller, Bland and Brennan will tee off at 10:30am with a new Queensland Open Champion due to be crowned at approx 3:30pm.
Source – PGA Australia
