Latest news with #Sterne
West Australian
3 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.
Perth Now
3 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
4 days ago
- Climate
- West Australian
Micheluzzi leads Aussie bid on Trump Scottish course
South African Richard Sterne has fired a course record five-under par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. Leading the Australian challenge on Thursday at the Scottish course, which is owned by the US President, was David Micheluzzi, who shot a one-under 71 to lie four behind. Stern set the early pace at the Old Course after teeing off from the par-five 10th among the morning starters with a birdie on his first hole and another going into the turn, then picking up three more to sign a faultless card. Sterne revealed afterwards that he had had to restock his golf bag with new balls after he had lost plenty while playing in strong winds in practice as Scotland was hit by Storm Floris which battered the Aberdeenshire coastline. But the 43-year-old took advantage of much calmer conditions on Thursday. "The course is very tricky even though the wind is not as bad as it was in the practice round on Tuesday and I played well," said Sterne. "It was about double this wind on Tuesday and I lost about seven or eight balls. I think that actually did me a bit of good," added the world No.1049. Should Stern's opening round still stand as the record at the close of the week, he would earn $US10,000 ($A15,000) through a new initiative on the European tour in partnership with event's sponsors. Norwegian Andreas Halvorsen and South African Thomas Aiken - who set off together in the opening group - missed the chance to join Stern for a share of the lead, as both players bogeyed the last. Louis Albertse, having starting on the back nine, also sits one shot behind his compatriot Sterne at four under in a three-way tie for second place. England's John Parry, Jordan Smith, Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean and Alex Fitzpatrick - who was briefly in the lead during the afternoon - are all in the mix at three under. Micheluzzi was the only one of the six-strong Aussie contingent to finish under-par on a difficult day for several of them, with Elvis Smylie shooting 73, Jason Scrivener 76, Danny List 78, Brett Coletta 80 and Daniel Gale 83
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
Micheluzzi leads Aussie bid on Trump Scottish course
South African Richard Sterne has fired a course record five-under par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. Leading the Australian challenge on Thursday at the Scottish course, which is owned by the US President, was David Micheluzzi, who shot a one-under 71 to lie four behind. Stern set the early pace at the Old Course after teeing off from the par-five 10th among the morning starters with a birdie on his first hole and another going into the turn, then picking up three more to sign a faultless card. Sterne revealed afterwards that he had had to restock his golf bag with new balls after he had lost plenty while playing in strong winds in practice as Scotland was hit by Storm Floris which battered the Aberdeenshire coastline. But the 43-year-old took advantage of much calmer conditions on Thursday. "The course is very tricky even though the wind is not as bad as it was in the practice round on Tuesday and I played well," said Sterne. "It was about double this wind on Tuesday and I lost about seven or eight balls. I think that actually did me a bit of good," added the world No.1049. Should Stern's opening round still stand as the record at the close of the week, he would earn $US10,000 ($A15,000) through a new initiative on the European tour in partnership with event's sponsors. Norwegian Andreas Halvorsen and South African Thomas Aiken - who set off together in the opening group - missed the chance to join Stern for a share of the lead, as both players bogeyed the last. Louis Albertse, having starting on the back nine, also sits one shot behind his compatriot Sterne at four under in a three-way tie for second place. England's John Parry, Jordan Smith, Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean and Alex Fitzpatrick - who was briefly in the lead during the afternoon - are all in the mix at three under. Micheluzzi was the only one of the six-strong Aussie contingent to finish under-par on a difficult day for several of them, with Elvis Smylie shooting 73, Jason Scrivener 76, Danny List 78, Brett Coletta 80 and Daniel Gale 83
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sterne has the edge after course record opening round in Scotland
South African Richard Sterne hit a course record five-under par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. Stern set the early pace at the Old Course after teeing off from the par-five 10th among the morning starters with a birdie on his first hole and another going into the turn, then picking up three more to sign a faultless card. Should Stern's opening round still stand as the record at the close of the week, he would earn $10,000 through a new initiative on the DP World Tour in partnership with title sponsor Nexo. Norwegian Andreas Halvorsen and South African Thomas Aiken - who set off together in the opening group - missed the chance to join Stern for a share of the lead, as both players bogeyed the last. Louis Albertse, having starting on the back nine, also sits one shot behind his compatriot Sterne at four under in a three-way tie for second place. England's John Parry, Jordan Smith, Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean and Alex Fitzpatrick - who was briefly in the lead during the afternoon - are all in the mix at three under. Conor Purcell is in a tie for 43rd after a one-over 73. Sterne said: "When I was here on Tuesday, it was about double this wind and I lost about seven or eight balls. I wasn't off to the world's best start, but it is a lot calmer than it was then. I think Tuesday did me a bit of good. The course is quite tricky even though the wind is not as bad as it has been in the practice rounds. I played well. I hit the ball well, better than I have been for a while so that was quite key. I drove it well off the tees as well so that helped. It is a draining golf course, you have got to hit a lot of good iron shots. One day at a time and I am happy with today, so it is a good start for me." On the PGA Tour, Shane Lowry had a disappointing start to the FedEx St Jude Championship. The Offaly man slid to a three-over par round of 73 at TPC Southwind, fully 11 shots behind early first-round leader Akshay Bhatia, who opened with a sparkling 62 in Memphis. The tournament is the first of three FedExCup Playoffs events. The top 50 in the rankings will qualifying for the BMW Championship. Lowry entered the week ranked 17th so is assured of his place next week at Caves Valley Golf Club.
