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Aust. Master of Amateurs: Defending champ Holman, 4 others, lead
Nathan Holman
Nathan Holman

MELBOURNE, Australia (Jan. 8, 2013) -- There is a jam-packed leaders’ board after today’s opening round of the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship which is being played at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Rain had threatened as the first players teed off, but later in the morning when the sun broke through, conditions were close to perfect.

Five players finished the day at five under the card; another five players are just one shot back. Defending champion Nathan Holman heads a very talented leading group. The 21 year old is coming off five wins in less than two years. He had an eagle and five birdies in today’s round of 67.

Steady play from young New South Wales golfer Jordan Zunic sees him also with a share of the lead. The 21 year old is a member of the Bonnie Doon Golf Club and is ranked number ten in Australia. Australia’s number one ranked amateur, Brady Watt from Perth is also on the top rung tonight. A member at Royal Perth Golf Club, the 22 year old has a world ranking of 16.

Emerging young Queenslander Viraat Badwhar from Indooroopilly Golf Club, shot seven birdies in his round. The 17 year old is already in the world top 100. 21 year old Melbourne golfer Geoffrey Drakeford also enjoyed today’s conditions and is the 5th player with a share of the lead tonight, thanks to a round of four birdies and an eagle. He is a member at near-by Commonwealth Golf Club so would be hoping local knowledge will be an advantage over the next three days.

While it is all Australian at the top, some of the highly regarded international players sit within a couple of shots. Among them 14 year old Tianlang Guan from China who has already qualified for this year’s US Masters

This event has brought together 54 leading amateur golfers from 12 countries vying for the title of Australian Master of the Amateurs and the green jacket which will be presented to the winner after the 4th round on Friday.

Results: Master of the Amateurs
1AustraliaViraat BadhwarAustralia70067-74-68-70--279
2AustraliaBrady WattAustralia50067-68-68-78--281
3AustraliaGeoffrey DrakefordAustralia40067-70-70-75--282
4AustraliaNathan HolmanAustralia40067-75-71-70--283
5ScotlandEwan ScottScotland40068-71-73-73--285

View full results for Master of the Amateurs

ABOUT THE Master of the Amateurs

The Master of the Amateurs, a 72-hole medal play Championship, has rapidly become one of the elite championships in amateur golf. Like The Masters, the champion receives a Green Jacket. Contestants participate in the first round of the championship with professional golfers in a unique Am-Pro Invitational.

The Master of the Amateurs winner gets an invitation to the Porter Cup in the U.S. Likewise the winners of those two tournaments receive invitations to the next Master of the Amateurs tournament.

A qualifying round (see tournament website for date and handicap requirement) allows three non-exempt players to earn invitations into the prestigious field.

View Complete Tournament Information

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