James Conran and Jye Pickin first played golf together some 13 years ago in junior golf, and after teeing it up together in Round 1, will go head-to-head in the second, and final, round of the Queanbeyan Ford NSW Open Regional Qualifier.
Conran, who opened with a bogey-free round of seven-under, holds a one shot advantage over Pickin, who had a hole-in-one among a colourful scorecard on Thursday, with Kyle Michel a shot further back on 5-under.
“I think it’s being on the right side of the greens, especially when you miss it. You just can’t be above the hole, or especially on sides of the grades, where it’s running away from you, because it can really get away,” Conran said assessing how to play well at Queanbeyan Golf Club.
“Holed a couple of nice 10, 15, 20 footers. I missed a couple short ones, but is what it is. You make up what you lose.
“With ‘Picko’ (Pickin), he’s always in a good mood, so he keeps you upbeat.”
For his part, Pickin also clearly enjoyed the company of Conran, who at 27 is one year his senior, with his fifth lifetime ace and second in tournament play, coming at the 15th which was the groups third hole of the day courtesy of a back spinning 8-iron.
“It’s the best,” Novocastrian Pickin said of playing with Conran, who similarly hails from regional New South Wales in Orange.
“I think the more that you can keep golf casual and relaxed, it’s the best. Brings out the best golf that you can play as well.
“Both country boys… I think you feel at home, being on courses like this, the tree line, you can sort of see the shot shape them off the tee, and then, obviously, there’s a favourable side to be coming into the greens.”
Expressing similar views on the Queanbeyan layout that yielded 25 under par rounds on day one, Conran and Pickin certainly won’t have it all to themselves on Friday, with Michel a regular contender on his home Tour and a congested group behind the Victorian.
Eight players sit in a tie for fourth one shot back of Michel on 4-under, including South Coast Open winner Jye Halls and his playing partner from Catalina Club Lachlan Aylen, as well as Pickin’s roommate for this week John Lyras.
Recent PNG Open winner Josh Armstrong part of a group another shot further in arrears at 3-under, who will be chasing early birdies to put pressure on those on top of the leaderboard, with Pickin among those with a lot to play for ahead of an uncertain schedule on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
“I think, for me, I’ve just got to keep the focus present. I feel like the more that you can just be where your feet are, it’s the constant challenge,” Pickin said of his final round strategy where he will attempt to secure one of three starts at the Ford NSW Open on offer.
“Like, you can sit there this afternoon, think about winning the event, but you can’t, you got to play 18 holes before you can do that.
“I’m probably not in the event (Ford NSW Open), so I’ve got to play well tomorrow. Should be an even bigger tick for me to get an entry into that event, it being so close to home, playing that course (The Vintage) growing up, it’s a course I really like, and somewhere think I can play well as well.”
For Conran, already assured of his place in his home state Open that will be played in the New South Wales Hunter Valley from November 12-15, his motivation for teeing it up in the final of six Regional Qualifiers is a little different ahead of a big summer of golf.
“I really enjoy coming to play these country courses,” Conran said.
“Just don’t get to do a lot of that on our Tour, but I really like playing these sorts of courses, and it’s nice to have, you know, a decent prize check if you play well.”
His plans for Friday’s final round, which will be broadcast LIVE on Kayo Sports from 10am-3pm AEST, simple but potentially effective.
“Keep it in play. Hole some putts. Win.”
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