Big-hitting Mcintosh Leads After A 64
Illawarra Mercury
Friday November 4, 2005
BIG-HITTING Wollongong professional Brad McIntosh took the first step towards overcoming the disappointment of last year's final-round washout with a superb 64 in the opening round of the Queensland Open at Ipswich Golf Club.
McIntosh, 23, was one of three players who finished runner-up in the 2004 Open, reduced to a 54-hole event after rain left the Ipswich layout unplayable."I was definitely a chance last year. I would have liked to have gone out for the final round," McIntosh said. "I like the greens here. I seem to putt pretty well on them." His putts yesterday included a successful 12-footer for eagle after he hit the green with a booming tee shot on the par-four, 319m fourth hole."Obviously the par fours are set up for me here. I just bomb it down there and hopefully get it pretty straight. It just makes for easy birdies," he said. McIntosh holds a two-stroke lead from US-bound Ryan Haller, whose 66 included seven birdies. "I putted pretty well and I got lucky on a few holes," said 31-year-old Haller, the 2002 Open runner-up who heads to America on Wednesday for the second stage of the US PGA Tour school. "I didn't play my best but I got away with it, so I was happy with that. It's nice to not be seven behind after one round."I'm extremely focused this week. I haven't won a Von Nida Tour event before." Australian golfing luminary Peter Senior shot a one-under 71, while last week's Queensland Masters winner Nick Flanagan finished with a disappointing one-over 73.
© 2005 Illawarra Mercury
