Despite the rain pouring down during the opening round of the 2023 NSW Junior Championships, The Australian’s Ella Scaysbrook was on fire.
Shooting a sensational seven under par today, her final score of 65 saw her smash the course record at Ocean Shores and shoot to a three shot lead at the top of the leader board.
“I played really good actually. Didn’t miss any shots really, and I didn’t have any three putts which was good. And bogey free which is nice,” she said.
“I wasn’t expecting seven under, but I was confident in my game.”
Related Links:
Leaderboard NSW Junior Championship – Boys
Leaderboard NSW Junior Championship – Girls
Fresh off her win at the NSW CHS Schools Champs two weeks ago, Scaysbrook is hoping to keep up the pace and bag a second win in what will be her final NSW Junior.
“My plan is to keep the process, keep doing what I’m doing and stay positive,” she added.
While she managed to keep her cool during the inclement conditions today, Scaysbrook admitted she’d much prefer a drier day tomorrow.
“It was tough. It was raining the whole day. There were a few breaks, but it was pretty consistent.”
Coming in behind Scaysbrook is Haruhi Nakatani of Coolangatta Tweed Heads at four-under par, with Safina Kyprianou of Brisbane in third at minus two.
Tied for fourth is Coffs Harbour local Hollie Fuller, who said the rain was a challenge.
“I was a bit nervous through the last few holes but I started off strong, so that helped me out. I’m pretty happy with myself, I can’t complain.”
Leading the boys division is another North Coast local, Sam Adams of Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.
The 17-year-old shot an impressive four-under 68 at OCean Shores today, putting him in front by two shots.
“I’m feeling good. There’s a lot of golf ahead so I’m glad to get a good start,” he said.
“I just wanted to post an alright score and when the putts started dropping, I was getting pretty happy.”
Adams said the front nine was a grind in the rain, but he managed to pull it together with five birdies on the back nine.
One thing he was excited about was beating his twin brother, Ben, who is also competing.
“There’s definitely going to be bragging,” he laughed.
Two shots back of Adams in second place is Ethan Anderson of Virginia Golf Club with a score of 70, with Elijah Rohas-Smith from Surfers Paradise in third on 71.
Unlike Scaysbrook and Adams, several of the pre-tournament notables found the going a little tougher than expected. Freshly minted Queensland Junior Boys Champion, Jake Riley of Toronto struggled to a four-over 76.
In the girls, Ann Jang of NSW GC, who picked up the Victorian Junior Girls title last week, could only manage a one-over 73. Defending Champion, Sarah Hammett of Emerald Lakes has kept her hopes of claiming back-to-back titles alive after carding a one-under par 71.
Players will swap courses for Round Two tomorrow with the first groups to tee off at 8 AM.
