With the (very little) power vested in golf writer Evin Priest, Australian Golf Digest’s man-on-the-ground hands out his best and worst awards from covering the 2017 US PGA Tour season. Buckle up for Australian golf media’s night of nights.
In a year to remember for Australian sporting Cameron Smiths, the 24-year-old Queenslander punctuated his maiden win on the US PGA Tour earlier this year to claim the Joe Kirkwood Cup and continue his ascent up the world rankings.
With the opportunity to assume the mantle of Australia’s No.1-ranked male golfer by claiming the Joe Kirkwood Cup on Sunday, Leishman’s position at the top of the leaderboard alongside Adam Bland after 36 holes is to be expected but Pete Senior’s spot just inside the top 10 is a shock to all but his fellow professionals.
The crowd came to see Jason Day make his first appearance at the Emirates Australian Open in four years, but it was a 22-year-old rookie who stole the first-round lead at The Australian Golf Club.
Pat Perez followed up an opening-round 66 at the CIMB Classic on Thursday with a seven-under 65 to grab a one-stroke lead in the weather-delayed second round.
Defending champion Justin Thomas is six strokes back of Day 1 leader Cameron Smith, who shot a bogey-free 64 for a one-stroke lead at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Jon Rahm’s strong run of form has carried over to the Dell Technologies Championship, where he leads by two strokes at nine-under 133 after posting a second-round five-under 67.
Australian Golf Digest
