BRISBANE, Australia – After narrowly missing out on a DP World Tour card, Joel Moscatel made a remarkable comeback by setting a course record with a 63 on Thursday to take the lead in the Australian PGA Championship. Meanwhile, defending champion Cam Smith’s title defense got off to a rocky start.
The 25-year-old Spaniard fell just short of securing a full card in the qualifying tournament last week. However, he managed to finish the first round at Royal Queensland Golf Club at 8 under, putting him one shot ahead of Min Woo Lee.
“It was a crazy day, we were so present, enjoying our golf,” Moscatel said, reflecting on his performance alongside his caddy.
John Lyras was in third place at 6 under after an impressive opening with a 65. Notably, Adam Scott, Connor Syme of Scotland, and Ryo Hisatsune of Japan were among the group of six players at 5 under, with Scott making a strong comeback after a rocky start to finish with a 66.
On the other hand, hometown favorite Cam Smith, the defending champion, struggled in the opening round, finishing at 2 over after a disappointing 73.
The tournament is co-sanctioned by the European and Australasian tours and is particularly significant for Smith, as it counted as his first title on the European tour when he won it in 2017. Royal Queensland, the golf club hosting the event, is also the proposed venue for golf in the 2032 Olympics, located along the northern bank of the Brisbane River and established in 1920.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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