Newly turned professional Jake Higginbottom has continued his fine amateur form, taking a one shot lead at the NSW PGA Championship following after the first round at the Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club.
Higginbottom, 19, only relinquished his amateur status after winning the New Zealand Open on Sunday, where he became the first non-professional to capture the title in 56 years.
He quickly carried on where he left off in Christchurch, sinking a birdie on the final hole to take a one stroke lead into the second round over fellow New South Welshman Brendan Smith.
Carding nine birdies and two bogeys for a 7-under 65 total, Higginbottom also claimed the Mt Broughton course record, previously set at 2-under 70.
“I don’t hit it super long, but the fairways are firm and the course doesn’t play as long as it actually is, but it’s a good course and it suits my game,” Higginbottom said.
He conceded it had been a massive few days but he was focussed on continuing to keep up his good form
“It’s been pretty busy, I’ve had a lot of phone calls, but it’s good,” said Higginbottom, who is now exempt on the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia for the next two years and has automatic entry into the second round of the US PGA and European Tour Q schools.
Smith posted the best round of his 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia season, shooting a 6-under.
He was joined on 66 by Adam Stephens, who shot the round of the afternoon field.
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, Sweden’s Thomas Petersson and New South Welshman Matthew Stieger share fourth position at 5-under par.