Australian Amateur: Top-seed falls in Round 1

SEATON, Australia (Jan. 16, 2014) -- English top qualifier Ryan Evans fell at the first hurdle after he was handed one of the tougher assignments against 64th qualifier Ryan Ruffels (VIC) who won 3&2 in hot conditions at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide. Both the men's and women's fields began on a shotgun start at 7.00am to avoid the predicted afternoon temperature of 46 degrees celsius. Ruffels was one of 32 men to progress including 2013 runner-up Geoff Drakeford (VIC), Grange member and 2013 Australian Junior Champion Anthony Murdaca (SA) and National Squad member Taylor MacDonald (QLD) who beat fellow National Squad member Lucas Herbert (VIC) 3&2. A total of eight international players made it through to the next round including Americans David Snyder and Max Buckley. The top 32 players will play on Friday morning before the top 16 go head-to-head in the afternoon. The quarter finals and semi finals are held on Saturday before the 36 hole final which takes place on Sunday.