Green from ear to ear
Gavin leads for the first time on European Tour in seven-way tie
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian No. 1 golfer Gavin Kyle Green could not have asked for a better start at the
1mil (RM4.7mil) Belgian Knockout in Antwerp.
The 24-year-old fired a flawless four-under 67 to join six others as early leaders following a difficult scoring day at the Rinkven International Golf Club on Thursday.
This the first time ever that Gavin is leading in any round on the European Tour.
Gavin, who was among those out on the course early, picked up two shots on the eighth and 12th holes before finishing with a flourish with back-to-back birdies in his two closing holes to set the clubhouse target with Nico Geyger of Chile.
Home favourite Thomas Detry, English duo Matthew Baldwin and Ryan Evans, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Jeff Winther of Denmark matched the duo’s efforts later in the day to make it a congested seven-way tie for the lead.
But all that matters in the first two days is to make the top-64 cut for the elimination stage.
The tournament features a unique format which sees the 144- man field play two days of 18-hole stroke play, with the top 64 then advancing to a nine-hole stroke play knockout.
Gavin was a relieved man after surviving the testing conditions at the Rinkven International GC.
“It was difficult because it was chilling in the morning and the wind picked up, so a couple of holes it was kind of swirl ... it didn’t come from dominant winds,” Gavin told the European Tour.com.
“But it was a solid round. I was trying to keep everything in play, didn’t do anything crazy and putted well.
“I made a couple of big saves (at) 10th, 11th, 12th and 16th ... it was long putt for pars, I made it and finished with two birdies. It’s always nice to close off with birdies.”
Gavin also thinks having Galven Kendall as his caddie for the first time on Tour is his lucky charm.
“My brother is on my bag for this event, his first one ... he’s on the lucky side so far.”
The Belgian Knockout marks the start of Gavin’s hectic schedule over the next three weeks where he will also compete in the BMW PGA Championship in Germany and Italian Open.