Sinnott makes ideal start at Asian-Pacific Amateur

Victoria's Todd Sinnott leads the prestigious Asian-Pacific Amateur by one shot after an opening round 67 at Royal Melbourne. Steve Keipert reports.

By Steve Keipert at Royal Melbourne

Todd Sinnott insists he's not letting himself think about the pot of gold waiting at the end of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship rainbow.

The 22-year-old Victorian holds a one-stroke lead after the first round at Royal Melbourne as the much-vaunted Australian contingent made a solid start overall. Sinnott carded a seven-birdie 67 to sit at five-under-par, one clear of 2012 champion Guan Tianlang, who made just one bogey in his 68. Both players took advantage of the benign morning conditions to tame the Composite course, Sinnott punctuating his round with birdies at the 17th and 18th holes.

Todd Sinnott doesn't want to think of the prize awaiting the winner of this week's championship.
PHOTO: by Brett Crockford/AAC

The leader, however, doesn't want to think about the invitation to the 2015 Masters at Augusta National that awaits the winner.

"It is a nice little prize," Sinnott said with a grin, "but I'm not going to get ahead of myself."

He hit just two drivers around the Composite course in a conservative game plan for a player with considerable firepower. "I don't think you'll ever see Royal Melbourne play as easy as that," Sinnott said. "In saying that, weather-wise, there's not much wind out there and to be honest there were a few friendly pins out there."

Sinnott, who hails from Melbourne's western suburbs and now calls Metropolitan Golf Club home, partially funds his amateur golf career by working two jobs, one of which is helping a friend put up Christmas decorations in shopping centres. On this Thursday, though, he lit up the grandest layout in the land.

And there is the distinction between this tournament and almost every other big-time event Royal Melbourne hosts – the participants are yet to bank a cent in prizemoney and won't this week. Instead, their prize is a ticket to golf's most exclusive major and a start in final qualifying for next year's Open Championship at St Andrews. It's a lure that adds huge lustre to a championship that grows in stature with each staging.

Short-hitting Guan owns a deadly short game that makes the Chinese teenager a huge factor around this golf course.

China's Guan Tianlang surveys a putt during the first round. PHOTO: Brett Crockford/AAC

"This course is not about hitting long drives," Guan said. "You have to place your ball in the right position. I cannot be too aggressive on this course, just play safe and then try to make a couple of birdies. I feel very comfortable today having a good start."

The rest of the Australians experienced mixed rounds. Adelaide's Antonio Murdaca carded the best of the afternoon rounds with a 69, while Ryan Ruffels and Cory Crawford were solid with 71s. Geoff Drakeford shot 73, as did Jarryd Felton.

Earlier today, the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation announced Hong Kong's Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club will be the 2015 venue for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

LEADERBOARD

1. Todd Sinnott (Vic) 67

2. Guan Tianlang (Chn) 68

T3. Antonio Murdaca (SA) 69

T3. Chieh-Po Lee (Tpe) 69

T3. Tawan Phongphun (Tha) 69

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T8. Ryan Ruffels (Vic) 71

T8. Cory Crawford (Qld) 71

T12. Taylor James MacDonald (Qld) 72

T18. Jarryd Felton (WA) 73

T18. Geoff Drakeford (Vic) 73