Senden sets Royal Sydney alight
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2008 Australian Open | Round One | 11 Dec 2008
Two years ago Queenslander John Senden won his first Australian event and his own national open when he birdied the final two holes to win the 2006 Australian Open at Royal Sydney.
Today, in his first competitive round at Royal Sydney since that momentous moment, he created another milestone when he holed in one at his 5th hole of the 2008 Australian Open and at that point had taken a three shot lead over Jamie Arnold and New Zealander Mark Brown.
In persistent drizzle and overcast conditions Senden birdied his 2nd and 4th holes before the hole in one came at the par three 14th hole of the golf course, the 5th of the round.
Rain set in around 6.00pm on Wednesday evening and continued for much of the evening but despite the damp underfoot conditions the Royal Sydney layout presented in good shape for the opening round.
Senden would bogey his 6th and 8th hole but birdied the 9th and made the turn with a one shot lead over New Zealander Mark Brown and Sydney professional Jamie Arnold.
