Early starters make an impression in Sydney
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2007 Australian Open | Round Three | 15 Dec 2007
Early challenges on day three of the Australian Open came thick and fast in what were once again magnificent conditions at the Australian Golf Club. With the leaders not scheduled to hit off until 1.20pm, there was to be a long wait for the significant crowds expected but some of those out in the first half of the field gave every indication that the golf course was again giving plenty for those capable of taking it.
28-year-old Victorian, Michael Curtain, was out early and was the first to make his mark when he eagled the first and birdied the second and third to move to four under for the tournament. He made the turn in 32 and actually moved to six under before a double bogey at the 15th slowed his progress. He picked up another birdie at the 17th.
Curtain has returned to tournament golf after a spending time as a car salesman in Melbourne but the break has done him good. He finished runner up to Andrew Bonhomme at the recent Queensland PGA Championship at Emerald lakes on the Gold Coast and has also had two solid finishes at the New Zealand Open and the Australian PGA Championship.
The American, Ryan Moore, was also moving towards the top of the leaderboard after opening with three consecutive birdies to be at six under and within two of the lead. Moore was the leading amateur in the world before turning professional and this year finished runner up to K.J. Choi at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. He is expected to be one of the best in the game in the years ahead and he has given himself a chance, with his fast start, to contend this week.
