The opening round of the 2025 World Sand Greens Championship at Binalong Community Club has produced a logjam at the top, with six players locked together at five-under-par and a chasing pack just a shot or two behind.

Concord’s Mark Panopoulos, Brisbane’s Sam Slater, Victorian and 2019 NSW Open champion Josh Younger, Western Australian Adam Hatch, former tour pro Matthew Stieger, and New South Welshman Andrew Brennan all share the lead.

For Brennan, it was a steady but satisfying round on a layout that demands patience.

“It was pretty cruisy, actually,” he said.

“I got the tough holes out of the way early and then managed to hold a few putts. I made a couple of soft bogeys, but I scrambled well. Around 100 metres in was definitely the strength today. That gave me easy up-and-downs, which is so important on sand greens. If you miss in the wrong spot, it’s so easy to make a big number.”

Brennan grew up in Walcha and said competing on sand greens again brought back old memories.

“I grew up playing all the state sand green tournaments as a junior,” he said.

“It feels good to be back, honestly. I missed it. Last year I finished around 30th, so to be equal leader this time is pretty cool. I’ve never been in this position before, never had cameras on me, but I’m looking forward to it. My goal is just to enjoy it, I had a few years off, so I’m over the moon to be playing golf again.”

Stieger also drew on childhood experience. The Bellata product made a late surge with an eagle-birdie-par finish.

“I grew up on sand greens, so it feels a little bit like being back home,” he said.

“They’re small targets, I probably only hit seven greens all day. But I made the most of them and finished with a nice flurry. The vibe here is unbelievable. These country clubs thrive on events like this, and the course is in amazing condition.”

He admitted he arrived at Binalong with confidence.

“I’ve been playing really well lately,” he said.

“I’ve got a baby due in six weeks, so I’m trying to make the most of my golf while I can. A win here would be a great little baby bonus.”

For Slater, there’s a sense of unfinished business after finishing runner-up last year. His round began with a lightning eagle-birdie start and finished strong.

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World Sand Greens – Leaderboard
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“It’s where I wanted to be, right up the top,” Slater said.

“I’d love to be holding that trophy tomorrow. My strategy is probably a bit different: I just try to hit it as far as possible and as close as possible. It makes life a lot easier. The sand greens are both fun and frustrating, you just have to accept it for what it is and enjoy it.”

Hatch, meanwhile, found inspiration in the freedom of sand green golf.

“I haven’t been playing too well the last couple of months, so it was good to come to a place where you can just free up and be creative,” he said.

“You can’t just rely on lob wedges and spin shots. You’ve got to chip and run, even hit eight-irons from a couple of metres off the green. It’s different, but I enjoyed it. I actually played Port Hedland earlier in the year, which helped, but these greens are firmer and faster. If I can win tomorrow, it’d be my first as a pro, that would mean a lot.”

Eight more players, including Queenslanders Tim Hart and Will Florimo and South Australian Lachlan Barker, are lurking at four under, setting up a weekend shootout.

Round two will begin at 9 AM, with the action broadcast live on Kayo from 11 AM.