Martin Dive leads the South Coast Open after carding a six-under 65 in today’s opening round at Moruya Golf Club.
The unheralded Dive is two shots in front of six golfers, including the morning leaders Bradley Doherty, Mitch Gannon and Anthony Choat, while Matthew Millar, Josh Armstong and Daniel Fox joined the trio late.
Related Links
- LEADERBOARD
- 3.30pm: Dive going deep at Moruya
- 11.15am: Trio Lead at Four Under
- 7.45am: South Coast Open Underway
- RECAP QUEANBEYAN: Lawson also the field
On a course which to many looked like it could give up several low scores, it was Dive who fared the best as plenty of the big names stumbled. His round included seven birdies and just the lone stumble, a bogey on the par-four 7th.
Several of the big names this weekend struggled to control the tight Moruya fairways, including local star Brendan Jones (+2), Peter Lonard (+6) and Marcus Fraser (+3).
It was Dive, However, who tamed Moruya best. Out first in the afternoon bracket, the Ryde-Parramatta professional found little in the way of trouble on the tree-lined layout.
“Yeah its always nice to play well, it’s been a bit of a lean patch the last few weeks, so it’s nice to put a score on the board.” Dive said after his round.
“It’s a very positional golf course. You can be pretty aggresive if you want to be, but I took a more conservative approach and backed my wedges to hit it in close.”
With his wedges doing their job, Dive was also riding a hot putter, converting more than a few chances late in his round.
“There was a couple of par putts on the back nine which were nice to get in, and a couple of others for birdie which was good.”
A win this week would be a timely one for Dive, who’s been competing “on and off” since finishing his traineeship in 2006. While not the type to dwell on what’s coming next, Dive admitted a late tee time would be good.
“It will definietly be nice to have an afternoon tee time. Hopefully I’ll get out there and do the same.”
Dive going deep at Moruya
Martin Dive is the outright leader on course this afternoon at the South Coast Open – Moruya, currently five under par through 13 Holes.
Dive turned in four under and after a birdie and two steady pars, is maintaining his position in the lead with the morning trio of Anthony Choat, Mitch Gannon and Brad Doherty in second place.
Brendan Jones, Japanese Tour regular and a former Club Champion here at the host club, made a disappointing start, three over par early in his round.
11.30am: Trio lead at four under
Anthony Choat, Mitch Gannon and Bradley Doherty lead the South Coast Open as the morning half of the draw complete their rounds.
The trio have carded matching four under 71’s in conditions ideal for scoring.
While some were expecting low scores, the testing greens here at Moruya are holding the scores in check.
Gannon, from Kogarah, was relieved to post a decent score, declaring he got a lot of his game today.
“I Holed a bunker shot on the second for par, I got a bit of momentum from that.”
“It could’ve been four over, but ended up four under.
“I bogeyed the last which is a shame, but it could’ve been worse. Hopefully I’lll takes e the momentum going into tomorrow.”
Choat, also at four under was also a happy man post round.
“It was good. I got off to a horrible start so to finish at four under is great.”
Choat has been a regular contender at the NSW Regional Open Series, and is eyeing off a spot in this month’s GolfChallenge NSW Open at Concord.
“They are a wonderful opportunity to qualify for the NSW Open. Great course, well organised and good facilities.”
“They have been a lot of fun,” he added.
7.45am: South Coast Open Underway
oruya has turned on the charm for the opening day of the South Coast Open in this idyllic south coast town.
It might be the first day of autumn, however, you wouldn’t know it here with the temperature already pushing 20 degrees. It’s expected to reach a top of around 26 – perfect for golf.
There is a chance of rain, however at this stage it looks like staying away.
The New South Wales Duo of Jack Walden and Jack Kessell got the field away here at Moruya Golf Club at 7.30 am. The marquee groups of Brendan Jones, Peter Lonard and Matthew Millar will tee off at 11.50, while Last Queanbeyan Open Champ Deyen Lawson, Jordan Zunic and Marcus Fraser are set to follow at 12.00pm.
As always, entry is free and spectators are in for some fantastic action.