Purcell and Power happy with strong starts in the Australian Open
Mark Power hits a tee shot during a practice round at the 2021 Walker Cup at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Fla. on Friday, May 7, 2021. (Scott Halleran/USGA)
Former Walker Cup star Mark Power is looking for a big week in the ISPS HANDA Australian Open after turning a good start into a missed cut in last week’s Australian PGA.
The Mount Juliet professional (23) made six birdies in a five-under 67 at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney to share ninth place, four shots behind Australia’s Cam Davis, as Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell made seven birdies in a 68 to lie tied 17th.
“I’m happy with that,” said Power, who followed a 69 with a 75 to miss the cut by a shot in last week’s Australian PGA in Brisbane. “All aspects of my game clicked nicely and the round was pretty stress-free.
“I will look forward to more of the same in the next few days.
"I worked hard after narrowly missing the cut last week and I’ve seen some positive signs today.”
Power missed the 72-hole cut by a shot at Q-School, but while he has some Challenge Tour status, he will need a top-five finish this week to make the field for next week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship on the DP World Tour in South Africa.
He’s also got one eye on the three spots up for grabs in The Open at Royal Troon through the Open Qualifying Series.
Purcell, who also failed to get through Q-School but has Challenge Tour status, was happy with his 68 after making a shaky start.
“For my first three holes, I was all over the place,” said the Dubliner (26), who followed an opening bogey with birdies at the fourth and ninth before reeling off four birdies in a row from the 11th.
A career-best seventh in the event last year, Purcell added: “I was in the water off the tee first shot of the day and then got into a rhythm which was good. Gave myself good looks and rolled it lovely.”
After getting to five-under with four holes to play, Purcell was disappointed to hand a shot back coming home as his birdie at the par-five 17th was cancelled out by bogey fours at the 15th and 18th.
But a day when Tom McKibbin had to eagle the par-five 18th at The Australian Golf Club to open with a one-over 73, it was an excellent day for the two forner Walker Cup players.
They’re right in touch with Davis (28), who carded seven birdies and an eagle in a nine-under 63 at The Lakes to lead by a shot from American Patrick Rodgers.
Joining them at the same venue was Australia’s Hayden Hopewell, who carded a seven under par 65, while Scotland’s Connor Syme carded the low round of the day at The Australian, a seven under par 64, to claim a share of third.
The ISPS HANDA Australian Open is being played concurrently with the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open across the two venues with the three-round All Abilities Championship at The Australian.
In the Women’s Open, 16-year-old amateur Rachel Lee shares the lead with Jenny Shin on six under par, with defending champion Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa two strokes back in a share of fourth place.
G4D Tour winner Tommaso Perrino of Italy shot a two-under 69 to share the first-round lead in the Australian All Abilities Championship with Australia’s Cameron Pollard.
Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor was fourth on two-over after a 73.
