The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Good opener by Scot, but Canizares steals show
Law fires 68 in Australia, but lies five shots behind surprise leader Canizares
Aberdonian David Law made a promising start to his defence of the ISPS Handa Vic Open in Australia yesterday, but it was Spain’s Alejandro Canizares who claimed a surprise lead with a stunning opening round.
The 28-year-old Scot claimed his maiden European Tour title down under 12 months ago, winning by a one-stroke margin after entering the final three holes three strokes behind.
Yesterday he carded a four under 68 at the Creek Course to lie five off Canizares.
The Spaniard has had to return to the qualifying school to keep his tour card for the past two seasons and has recorded just two top-10 finishes in the last three years.
The 37-year-old is ranked a lowly 788th in the world but insists he remains fully motivated after carding 10 birdies and a solitary bogey in an opening 63 at 13th Beach Golf Club.
“It was a great round,” Canizares said. “I putted really well, I hit the ball well as well, I don’t think I missed many greens. It was one of those days where you saw the hole pretty big.
“I didn’t have many expectations because it’s a long way from home so you don’t know how you’re going to feel but I was hitting the ball well. I’m working on the right things.
“I’m just surprised I’ve played so bad the last three years more so than today. It’s been complicated. I got injured three years ago and it took a while. I became a dad a year ago, life changes.
“I’m getting back to it, I’m starting to work hard on it and I’m still motivated. I’ve been on Tour for 13 or 14 years and I still want to do it. I’ve still got half of my career ahead of me.”
Canizares enjoyed a two-shot lead over the home quartet of Matthew Griffin, Travis Smyth, Justin Warren and Jake McLeod.
Drumoig’s Connor Syme was also playing the Creen Course and lies level par after an opening round 72.
The tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and LPGA and features men and women playing on the same courses at the same time, for equal prize money.
In the women’s event, Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and South Korea’s Haeji Kang share the lead on eight under par, with Dame Laura Davies two shots behind following a 67 which included eight birdies and two bogeys.