Juniors inspired as Walters leads

Euan Walters has drawn inspiration from an unlikely source, taking the lead heading into the weekend of the Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate/Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic. With Walters looking on, a number of professionals gave up their time yesterday for more than 30 juniors, staging a Callaway Junior Expression Session at Capricorn Resort. Walters reminisced to back when he was a junior. “This is the future of our game and isn’t it great to see so many juniors on the range learning from the professionals that they all idolize” Walters said.

Coming off his fine victory in Mackay last week, Victorian Euan Walters’ fine form has continued this week setting the early pace on day one, shooting a round of 6 under par 66 on the Championship course, which included a hole-in-one on the 200 metre14th. Walters found himself leading by one, from New Zealander Hamish Robertson and a host of players all looking to win what is know as one of the best pro ams in the country. This years Indonesian Open Champion Mike Hendry was also well positioned after day one shooting a solid round of 68 and was joined late in the day by Victorian Heath Reed and New South Welshmen Tristan Lambert and Sam Brazel.

Players arrived today with blustery conditions making scoring difficult, however Walters would remain calm throughout the day and post a second round score of four under par 68 and increase his over night lead from one to three. Tristan Lambert who won last year’s Ian Weigh Motors Rockhampton Pro Am, followed up his first round 68 with a solid round of 69 to be in outright second. Walters quoted “I am extremely happy with the form I’m in at the moment and really looking forward to playing on the weekend. Yesterdays hole-in-one really got me going and if I continue to produce the same golf as what I have done the past few weeks, I am sure I will be around come Sunday afternoon.”

Currently in third place, former Cairns Classic winner Paul Donahoo sits 4 shots behind Walters after two consistent rounds of 69. Unfortunately for Mike Hendry a two over par 74 sees him eight shot back from Walters. With strong winds predicted over the weekend all those players within ten shots of the lead could still see themselves as a chance.

Spectators are welcome over the weekend to watch some Australia’s top professionals take on the challenge of the Capricorn Resort Courses. Tee times start from 7am, with Walters and Lambert, teeing off at midday.