Latest news with #Micheluzzi
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Great Scot: Forrest in control at Trump International
Grant Forrest has stretched his lead to three shots at the European Tour's Nexo Championship while Australian David Micheluzzi's hopes of victory on the Trump International Links in Scotland faded on moving day. Scotsman Forrest had led by one stroke at the halfway stage, but things started going wrong when he went bogey-par-bogey from the eighth on Saturday. But three birdies in his final five holes, including two in a row to finish his third round, enabled Forrest to climb up to eight under par, three clear of Norway's Kristoffer Reitan, who carded the best round of the day with a 68, Englishman Todd Clements and Dutchman Daan Huizing. Micheluzzi, who had hoped to really ignite his challenge as he began the day in joint-fifth place, could only record a disappointing 75 as he slipped to one over for the tournament, nine off the pace in 18th place. "Well, there is a long way to go tomorrow," Forrest said. "Really happy with the way I dug in today and a lovely way to finish. It took a lot of patience, but yeah, see what tomorrow brings. "I played nicely (over the) first seven holes. The bogey at the 10th actually felt like a boost because I was staring at a seven in the face, to escape with a six settled me down a little bit. "I just kept on giving myself chances and finally got a couple of putts to drop. "I'm pretty happy with my game plan so far, I've not checked what the weather's to be, but if it's similar conditions, it's hit fairways and greens - that old chestnut. I've done that pretty well so far and staying patient." English pair Joe Dean and Andy Sullivan and Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen all carded 70s to sit five shots off the lead in a share of fifth. Australian Elvis Smylie, like Micheluzzi, had a 75 and is four-over for the tournament, tied for 31st, while Jason Scrivener recorded a 77 and is eight over for the week.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Australian golf pro's big week on Donald Trump courses
Australian David Micheluzzi has already made history this week at the US President's Scottish golf complex - and now he's hunting a landmark European tour triumph at the Trump International Links in Aberdeenshire. Fresh from becoming the first pro to play Donald Trump's much-hyped new course on Wednesday, Micheluzzi has since enjoyed two impressive rounds at the venue's Old Course to lie joint-fifth at halfway in the Nexo Championship. The 29-year-old Melbourne player got the honour of posting the first round at the newly unveiled course on the eve of the Championship, recording a four-under round of 68 on Wednesday morning. A week after Trump himself had flown to Scotland to officially open the New Course at his luxury resort, Micheluzzi reported his experience had been an "absolute treat" and "to have the chance to play it was very cool." Seemingly inspired, the Victorian then went into the Championship at the complex's Old Course, braved the difficult windy conditions and has played two fine rounds to lie just five shots off the lead at halfway. He followed up his one-under round from Thursday with another 71 on Friday to become the first player in the field to record back-to-back under-par rounds, a feat then matched by three others, headed by halfway leader, Grant Forrest. Scotsman Forrest set a new course record 66 to delight the home fans as he moved into a one-shot lead. The North Berwick player had begun the day four shots off the pace set by South Africa's overnight leader Richard Sterne, but four birdies in the first five holes helped him towards a stunning six-under round. That bettered Sterne's 67 of the previous day and has set up the prospect of the Scot earning a $US10,000 ($A15,000) bonus should his record not be topped over the rest of the week. England's Jordan Smith recorded 69 for the second successive round to sit one adrift on six under in second, while Sterne is third a couple of strokes further back after a 73 and Dutchman Daan Huizing fourth on three under after a 69. Alongside Micheluzzi on two under are Finland's Oliver Lindell, South African Justin Harding and the English pair of Alex Fitzpatrick and Todd Clements. The highlight of the Australian's round were three birdies in the last four holes as Micheluzzi hopes to record his best finish this year on the European tour, topping his eighth place at the lucrative Dubai Desert Classic back in January.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Australian golf pro's big week on Donald Trump courses
Australian David Micheluzzi has already made history this week at the US President's Scottish golf complex - and now he's hunting a landmark European tour triumph at the Trump International Links in Aberdeenshire. Fresh from becoming the first pro to play Donald Trump's much-hyped new course on Wednesday, Micheluzzi has since enjoyed two impressive rounds at the venue's Old Course to lie joint-fifth at halfway in the Nexo Championship. The 29-year-old Melbourne player got the honour of posting the first round at the newly unveiled course on the eve of the Championship, recording a four-under round of 68 on Wednesday morning. A week after Trump himself had flown to Scotland to officially open the New Course at his luxury resort, Micheluzzi reported his experience had been an "absolute treat" and "to have the chance to play it was very cool." Seemingly inspired, the Victorian then went into the Championship at the complex's Old Course, braved the difficult windy conditions and has played two fine rounds to lie just five shots off the lead at halfway. He followed up his one-under round from Thursday with another 71 on Friday to become the first player in the field to record back-to-back under-par rounds, a feat then matched by three others, headed by halfway leader, Grant Forrest. Scotsman Forrest set a new course record 66 to delight the home fans as he moved into a one-shot lead. The North Berwick player had begun the day four shots off the pace set by South Africa's overnight leader Richard Sterne, but four birdies in the first five holes helped him towards a stunning six-under round. That bettered Sterne's 67 of the previous day and has set up the prospect of the Scot earning a $US10,000 ($A15,000) bonus should his record not be topped over the rest of the week. England's Jordan Smith recorded 69 for the second successive round to sit one adrift on six under in second, while Sterne is third a couple of strokes further back after a 73 and Dutchman Daan Huizing fourth on three under after a 69. Alongside Micheluzzi on two under are Finland's Oliver Lindell, South African Justin Harding and the English pair of Alex Fitzpatrick and Todd Clements. The highlight of the Australian's round were three birdies in the last four holes as Micheluzzi hopes to record his best finish this year on the European tour, topping his eighth place at the lucrative Dubai Desert Classic back in January.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australian Jack Buchanan aiming high at NZ Open
Rising Australian star Jack Buchanan need look no further than his New Zealand Open practice partner David Micheluzzi for inspiration as he stares down the prospect of a full DP World Tour card in 2026. Heading into this week's $A1.8 million Open at Millbrook Resort, Buchanan sits in fourth spot on the Australasian Tour order of merit (OOM). The three players above him - big-name Australians Elvis Smylie, Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert - already have full cards on either the LIV or DP World Tours. If the 22-year-old Buchanan can hold onto fourth spot or move even higher, he'll gain a full European card - just as Micheluzzi did two years ago. Micheluzzi made the best of the opportunity, finishing 72nd on the money list on debut to easily retain his card and gain access to the biggest events on the European Tour in 2026. "I spoke to David about a few things during the practice round on Tuesday," said Buchanan, who only turned pro 15 months ago after a celebrated amateur career which included playing a key role in Australia's silver-medal finish at the 2023 Eisenhower Cup. "Its good to learn from guys like David, to see how he's progressed in his career and that you can do it too. "Obviously the focus is to play well here this week, but you can afford to think about the big picture as well with the order of merit. "In golf you've got to accept being under pressure. "It's definitely the ultimate goal and it would be great to get out onto the European Tour next year." The Scottish-born Buchanan got off to a flying start on the 2024-25 Australasian Tour with wins at the WA PGA and the Webex Players Series South Australia. He than finished high enough in a LIV qualifier in Saudi Arabia to gain automatic entry into the 10 International Series events on the Asian Tour in 2025. The winner of the Australasian OOM is guaranteed a start in the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush and will almost certainly get invited to the US PGA as well. There's another British Open spot on offer to the winner of the NZ Open which has helped attract such a strong field including the likes of Smylie, Herbert, Micheluzzi and Australian Open runner-up Curtis Luck, Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa and New Zealanders Daniel Hillier, Ben Campbell and Steve Alker. "I was playing here no matter what, but when I saw that (a guaranteed British Open start for the winner) it was like 'alright, let's get into it'," said Micheluzzi. "That will fit nicely in the schedule when we get to Europe. "But I'm just looking forward to the week. "The course is always immaculate, I've got a few of my mates staying with me this week and I've got my girlfriend here as well." Smylie will effectively lock away the OOM title if he finishes fourth or better this week. But in the unlikely event that the Australian PGA champion misses the cut, any of the top six could overtake him, with LIV Golf star Herbert the main danger. Australasian Tour OOM (with four events remaining) 1. Elvis Smylie, 1247.56 points 2. Cameron Smith, 735.68 3. Lucas Herbert, 717.06 4. Jack Buchanan, 626.21 5. Curtis Luck, 523.44 6. Anthony Quayle, 496.54 * The winner of the NZ Open receives 760 points. The remaining three events offer 190 points each to the victor.
