Travis Smyth opens NSW Amateur with 8-under 64

TERREY HILLS, New South Wales (January 30, 2017) -- St. Michael’s Golf Club’s Travis Smyth has fired a sizzling 8-under par 64 in scorching conditions at Terrey Hills Country Club on Monday afternoon to lead the Men’s New South Wales Medal by three shots. As the temperature rose, it was Smyth who was in red-hot form around the Northern Sydney layout, posting a career-low round for the 22-year-old. “8-under is my lowest round ever, and I eagled the last for that. I’m pretty pleased, 7-under has been a bit of a curse, and I’ve finally cracked it today,” Smyth laughed. “Off the tee (I) didn’t hit it that good, but my iron play was amazing, I got the putter rolling as well." Smyth isn’t a stranger at the Terrey Hills layout; he’s been getting plenty of practice around the course with a good friend, and member, former World Iron Man Champion Guy Leech. “Guy’s invited me out here a few times, and it's paying off,” he smiled. “He’s shared a bit of wisdom with me about the place, some of the driving lines." Besides the local knowledge, Smyth it seems has been sponging up all he can about the mental side of high-level competition from Leech. “One thing I’ve learnt is it’s all about the process. And it rubs off; I’ve absorbed a lot from him, I can thank him for sure.“ New Zealand’s Luke Brown sits in second place after firing a 5-under-par 67 at Killara Golf Club on Monday morning. Brown managed the conditions well, recording an eagle and three birdies on a day where the temperatures soared into the high thirties (celsius). Alongside Brown is Canadian Amateur Golf Squad member Stuart Macdonald. The 22-year-old who recently graduated from Purdue, is enjoying the warmer climate compared to the temperatures back at home in Vancouver. It didn’t take log for the Canadian to get his round going this afternoon with an eagle on his first hole of the day. “I hit it pretty solid, pretty straight, I made a 55 foot putt for eagle on the first, it’s was a nice way to start a round,” he smiled. In outright fourth place is Queensland’s Steven Cox, who seems to have developed an affinity for the NSW Amateur Championship. The 19-year old rekindled the form he showed to make the semifinals of the 2016 NSW Amateur by carding a nice 4-under-par 68 at Killara. Burleigh Heads, Lucas Higgins and England’s Scott Gregory sit in a tie for fifth at 3-under-par, while another seven players are sitting at 2-under-par. -Editors Note: Article is by Dave Tease of Golf New South Wales