One could say Blake Windred is officially on fire.
The Novocastrian has carded the round of the day, a course record nine under par 63, to grab the 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship by the throat after the opening round.
Windred’s round was faultless, and included a withering burst of four straight birdies to finish his day in style.
The scorecard never lies, and here it is in all its glory.
Windred was a very pleased golfer post-round. His 9-under par 63 equalled the lowest-ever round in the tournament, His only disappointment was the round had to actually come to an end.
“I kind of ticked every goal I had set for today, so that’s always good,” Windred said. I felt like I executed every shot pretty much down the stretch.
“I was just saying before, I didn’t even realise I birdied the last four until I signed the scorecard. I was just enjoying it so much and I’m just shattered it’s ended,” he smiled.
The nine under par effort was also Windred’s best round in tournament golf, and he picked the perfect stage to do it.
With a start in the Masters and the Open Championship in store for the champion, Windred admitted the win would mean a big change of career plans in the short term. He is aware however, it is only the first round of a four round marathon and there is still a long way to go.
“if I was to win, I would definitely be playing the majors.
It’s a great start, but yeah, we’ve still got three rounds to go. I’ll look at that at the end I guess.”
Blake Windred of Australia plays during round 1, in 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China on Thursday, September, 26, 2019. Photograph by AAC2019
Blake Windred of Australia plays during round 1, in 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China on Thursday, September, 26, 2019. Photograph by AAC2019
Blake Windred of Australia plays during round 1, in 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China on Thursday, September, 26, 2019. Photograph by AAC2019
Blake Windred of Australia plays during round 1, in 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China on Thursday, September, 26, 2019. Photograph by AAC2019
Blake Windred of Australia plays during round 1, in 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China on Thursday, September, 26, 2019. Photograph by AAC2019Windred on the hunt at Shensan
Blake Windred is just one shot from the lead late in the first round for the Asia-Pacific Amateur at Shensan International Golf Club in Shanghai.
The 21 Year old from Newcastle, who played in the afternoon marquee group got off to a flyer, with four birdies on the front nine to grab a share of the lead.
A fifth birdie for the day sees Windred sitting just a shot behind the Korean Junhong Park, who is at six under par with three holes to play.
Barbs off to a fast start in Shanghai
Nathan Barbieri has carded a solid three-under-par 69 on day one of the Asia-Pacific Amateur.
The 22 year old currently sits in a tie for fourth midway through the first round.
Beginning on the 10th, the Monash Country Club representative was out of the blocks fast, with three birdies in his first four holes.
Back to Back bogeys on 15 and 16 slowed the 22 year, but only for a brief while.
A pair of birdies on the first and second holes was enough to consolidate his bright start, and he closed out his round with straight pars.
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