In the opening day of the Australian PGA Championship at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, Spanish newcomer Joel Moscatel Nachshon made a remarkable debut on the DP World Tour.
The 25-year-old golfer, ranked 1,162 in the world, equaled the course record with a stellar eight-under-par 63, securing a one-shot lead over Australian talent Min Woo Lee. Nachshon, who recently participated in the tour’s qualifying school in Spain, expressed satisfaction with his performance but emphasized the need to stay focused for the upcoming rounds.
Min Woo Lee, with a solid round featuring eight birdies and one bogey, finished the day in second place with a score of 64, holding playing rights on the US PGA Tour for 2024. Meanwhile, John Lyras of Australia trailed Lee by one stroke, leading a group that included notable names like Adam Scott, Connor Syme, and Ryo Hisatsune.
On the contrary, defending champion Cameron Smith, now part of the LIV Golf tour, faced challenges throughout the day, carding a two-over 73. The former world number two, who had previously dominated the event with wins in 2017, 2018, and 2022, expressed frustration over his performance, bogeying the opening hole and struggling to regain momentum.
The tournament, featuring a mix of local and international players, holds significance for those aiming to secure a top-50 year-end ranking for a coveted spot in the next year’s US Masters. Scottish Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre, currently ranked 56, made a promising start with a score of 69, while Poland’s Adrian Meronk, ranked 48, carded a 68.
Irish golfer Mark Power finished with a two-under round of 69, tying for 32nd place alongside MacIntyre and others, while Tom McKibbin and Conor Purcell concluded the day with even-par 71s.
Leave a Reply