Davis capitalizes on the Australian Golf Club’s history of repeat winners to surge ahead in the tournament
Cameron Davis, the world number 43, has made a stunning start at the Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney. With a brilliant nine-under 63 in the opening round, Davis has taken the early lead at the tournament. The event is being played across two layouts, with Davis set to play his next three rounds at The Australian, a course with a history of repeat winners. As Davis aims to add to his 2017 success, fellow Australian golfer Cameron Smith struggles to find his form.
Davis’s Strong Start
Davis took full advantage of perfect morning conditions to burst out of the blocks, recording four birdies and an eagle in his opening nine holes. This propelled him to a six-under score, and he continued his impressive form by adding three more birdies to finish the round without a single bogey. Davis’s flawless performance left him alone at the top of the leaderboard, eight shots ahead of Smith.
Smith’s Struggles Continue
Smith, who closed with a bogey, had a frustrating opening round, finishing at one-under par. While he acknowledged that his performance could have been better, Smith expressed optimism about building on his round. He admitted to feeling less anxious and uncomfortable, indicating that he is starting to regain his confidence.
Other Contenders
Masters champion Adam Scott also had a challenging round, finishing with an even-par score after a final-hole birdie. American Patrick Rodgers came close to matching Davis, shooting an impressive eight-under 64 to secure second place on the leaderboard. West Australian Hayden Hopewell and Scotland’s Connor Syme are tied for third, one shot behind Rodgers.
Davis’s Connection to The Australian
Davis, who grew up just 30 minutes north of The Australian, expressed his excitement about playing at a course so close to home. He mentioned the fond memories of crucial shots he hit during his 2017 victory and emphasized the enjoyment he derives from playing in front of friends and family.
Smith’s Struggles Persist
Smith’s difficulties from the previous tournament in Brisbane seemed to resurface during the opening round. Mixing four birdies with three bogeys, including one on his final hole, Smith finished with an even-par round of 71. He admitted to battling a lack of confidence and a technical issue with his swing.
Weather Conditions and Rule Changes
The opening day of the Australian Open was marked by heavy rain and wild weather, forcing organizers to implement a last-minute rule change. Players were allowed to adopt a preferred lie local rule for fairways, enabling them to pick up and replace shots that landed on the fairway. This rule change aimed to help players clean their balls and is typically used at the grassroots level.
Conclusion: Cameron Davis’s exceptional performance in the opening round of the Australian Open has positioned him as the early leader in the tournament. With a history of repeat winners at The Australian, Davis has the opportunity to add to his 2017 success. Meanwhile, Cameron Smith continues to struggle, battling both technical issues and a lack of confidence. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if Davis can maintain his lead and if Smith can find his form.
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