McLeod in tight Open win
YOUNG Queenslander Jake McLeod survived some anxious moments to claim a two-shot victory in the NSW Open with an impressive 20under-par total.
McLeod followed his course-record 62 at Twin Creeks in Sydney on Saturday with a more circumspect 71 yesterday to win from Victorian rookie pro Cameron John (67).
McLeod’s maiden Australasian tour victory will ensure he enters this week’s Australian Open at The Lakes with plenty of confidence.
A former Queensland state amateur teammate of US tour star Cameron Smith, McLeod’s previous best result was a second placing in last year’s Vic Open.
It didn’t come easily, as McLeod saw his four-shot overnight lead disappear on the front nine before an eagle on the par 5 11th got him back on track. John got to 20-under, with eight birdies in his round, before bogeys on the last two holes proved extremely costly.
“It was tough out there today,” said McLeod, who earned a $72,000 winner’s cheque and full membership of the Australasian tour to the end of 2020.
GEELONG golfer Deyen Lawson has given himself a chance to secure at European Tour card with an impressive start to the Qschool final.
Lawson fired a seven- under 65 on the Hill Course at the Lumine Golf Club in Spain to be equal fourth after the first of six rounds, two shots off the leaders, who opened on the Lakes Course.
Players alternate between the two courses.
There are 25 Tour cards up for grabs this week.
Fellow Geelong player Ben Eccles shot a three-over 75 to be tied 143rd.