Doctor boosts mental game
AUSTRALIAN PGA Championship co-leader Jake McLeod credits his work with a psychologist for his ability to overcome nerves and challenge for wins at the country’s biggest tournaments.
McLeod is tied for the lead at six-under par at Royal Pines following a Round 1 effort that included four birdies and two pars in his first six holes.
The 24-year-old Brisbane golfer added two more birdies on his final nine holes to edge closer to a career- best win that would also seal top spot on the PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit.
McLeod’s form continues a stunning three weeks for the Hills International graduate who won the NSW Open before finishing third in the Australian Open.
McLeod consistently battles nerves on the tee but he said his work with a psychologist this year was helping him accept how he feels and stay in control of his shots more.
“The whole game has been pretty good and I’ve seen a new psychologist six months to a year ago now,” he said.
“The things we have been working on have been really good so I think that’s definitely helped a lot.
“I’m accepting how I’m going to feel. I can’t change my
thoughts and all of that sort of stuff. I just need to stay really focused on the shot and have a bit of a laugh out there and stay relaxed.
“Well, not relaxed because I’m nervous ... but I just get on with it. At the Aussie Open I felt really good out there.”
Winning the order of merit would provide McLeod with a European Tour card and a place at the British Open and two World Golf Championship events.
Fellow Hills product and Sanctuary Cove member Anthony Quayle shot two-under par on the opening day.
Quayle was four-under par but double-bogeyed his thirdlast hole to drop two shots.