Australian Open First Round Ends with Lincoln Tighe in the Lead

Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott, the two headliners at this week’s Australian Open, have distinctly different excitement levels over next year’s Rio Olympics golf tournament.

Australian Tighe, 26, who is the reigning New South Wales PGA champion and is also into the final qualifying stage of next month’s PGA Tour’s secondary Web.com Tour, meanwhile enjoyed a one shot lead with a five under par 66.

While both agree a team competition would have been nice, Scott says he’ll go if he can fit it into his schedule, and isn’t very enthused.

Spieth, Ogilvy and 1997 champion Lee Westwood (72 Friday, tied for 14th, seven behind) were put on the clock by rules officials for slow play midway through the round. “The toughest part is when you have the crosswinds and you’ve got to pick what shot to play, because you can use the same club and it can go 30 yards’ difference in the air”. We got less than 50 percent of it right today which is frustrating, because I really was striking the ball well.

Arizona-based Jones, 35, joined the Australian Club as a 15-year old and named Greg Norman and Tiger Woods as his inspiration for pursuing the title.

“Even if I up-and-down it for a par, starting tomorrow one over, unless they come way, way back I’m pretty much done so, like I said, it’s a good shot, maybe a little lucky but took advantage of it”.

While the day ended well for Spieth, he first endured a rollercoaster front nine that included four bogeys – three of them in the first four holes – and three birdies.

It had looked like being a third day of frustration for Spieth in the crosswinds at the Australian Golf Club, especially after he dropped shots at three of his first four holes.

At the completion of play, 13 players were under par compared to the 18 yesterday so despite the improved conditions on day two scoring was not a lot better.

“There may be a four or five (under) with some good putting this afternoon but I don’t see more than that”. “We just had no idea on that fairway”, the U.S. Open and Masters champion said.

“If he shoots something fantastic like a year ago and beats me, that’s what I’ll have to deal with”, Jones said. I’ve been building it up in my own mind, just knowing Jordan [Spieth] is coming back to defend.