Max takes handy tips from star
PLAYING the percentages is the biggest lesson Max Ford will take away from a round with an icon of Australian golf.
The teenager was lucky enough to be grouped with Craig Parry on the final day of the Cairns Open on Sunday, giving the youngster some valuable insights into what it takes to perform in tournaments.
It clearly paid off as he shot a 74 — only behind top two finishers Frank Power and Matt Spilsbury — after a disappointing 81 for the first round.
Ford, who also drew praise for his work in the lead-up with Cairns Golf Club, said 18 holes with “top bloke” Parry would be a massive influence on his game.
“He basically talked about the ‘game plan’ and how that really sets you in stead for the whole four rounds,” he said.
“He said: ‘If you’ve got a good game plan then you play it well you might win’.
“He said he’s played some of his best golf and come 20th and some weeks he’ll play not so good golf and make top 10, so it’s just about how you stick to your game plan and how it works out.
“It was good to learn stuff like that and I’ll probably take it into how I approach tournament golf.
“His game plan is about putting yourself in good places on the greens.”
Ford and fellow rising star Will Florimo head to Darwin lfor the NT Amateur Championships, starting May 31.