Four-way tie at the top at Farleigh

25/07/2023

Four players currently share the overnight lead after a pulsating opening of the Coca-Cola PGA Assistants’ Championship at Farleigh Golf Club.

A field of 144 players teed off for this year’s championship, which is contested over 54 holes, with a cut after 36.

Alister Balcombe (Stockwood Vale Golf Club) set an early benchmark of four-under-par (68) after a mixed bag of scores including two eagles, four birdies and a double bogey.

Commenting on his first round performance, Balcome said: “I had a bit of a weird day really. I started off a bit slow and par’d the first four holes. I played here two years ago and really struggled with the first four holes, so it was nice to get through those and then I holed out on the fifth from about 80 yards, so that kick started it.

“I made a double bogey on eight which slowed me down a bit then I got a bit lucky on nine and chipped in for eagle from just off the green - so that got me back on track and I took advantage of some of the chances on the back nine.”

As the day progressed, a number of players posted low scores, with Conor Coles (The Wisley), Brandon Meads (Billericay Golf Ltd), Adam Runcie (Abergele Golf Club) and Graeme Robertson (Fairways Golf Studios) all scoring five-under-par (67).

Robertson, fresh from his first Open Championship appearance last week, was pleased with his opening round. He said: “I played quite nicely and putted quite nicely. I three-putted the first, it was quite a tricky green - a tricky pin position, but then I just got on a nice roll, hit some good shots and holed some putts, which is a bit of a contrast to last week, so it was nice to see them start going in. I had a slip-up on 17, but I’m really happy with a score of five-under.”

When asked about his plan going into tomorrow, Robertson added: “I’ve got a target in my head that I want to get to so I’m on the right lines and I’ll just try to keep working towards my target score and we’ll see what happens.”

Jess Adams (The Wisley) is bidding to become the first female winner of this event and made a brilliant start, making it to six-under-par through 16 holes. But a double bogey on 17 left her just short of the leaders with a final score of four-under-par (68).

Elsewhere, James Walker started his title defence this week with a level-par 72, while 2021 winner Michael Farrier-Twist shot 71 (one-under-par).