Gifted amateur Nathan Holman was a late inclusion in the Victorian PGA Championship but bolted into the lead on Thursday after a stunning opening round of 66 in Creswick.
Holman, who plays out of the Woodlands club in Mordialloc, set the tricky Forest Resort course alight with six birdies and two eagles in his first 18 holes to be six-under-par.
Experienced Novocastrian Leigh McKechnie is outright second two shots off the pace after an opening 68, while former winner Andre Stolz (NSW) signed for a 69 to share third spot with Pieter Zwart of New Zealand, power hitter Steve Jones, Kris Mueck, Brendan Smith and Josh Younger.
Ashley Hall, another of the pre-tournament favourites, is also in contention on 70 alongside a host of players including New South Welshman Aaron Townsend and vastly experienced Victorians Scott Laycock and Paul Sheehan.
Holman only decided to accept one of three amateur invitations to take part in the Victorian PGA after missing a start in the Australian Amateur title being held at Commonwealth Golf Club on Melbourne’s famed sand belt.
The stylish 21-year-old was ruled out of the national championship after failing to lodge his entry on time.
“I missed the entry by a day and I was on the emergency list so I entered this week (for the PGA) hoping I’d get a spot, and did, so I pulled out of the Australian Amateur,” he explained.
“I’m happy to be here (at Creswick near Ballarat). This is what I want to be doing in the future. I’m feeling more and more comfortable with every pro event I play. The more, the better so hopefully this continues.”
If Holman goes on to win the tournament, he will continue the trend of talented amateurs upstaging more-seasoned professionals.
Late last year, Oliver Goss from Perth scored a shock win in the West Australian Open before Sydney’s Jake Higginbottom stunned the golf world by taking out the New Zealand Open before immediately turning professional.
Holman plans to become a tournament professional within 12 months but, for the time being, intends finetuning his already impressive game.
“I’m looking at turning pro at the end of this year and will hopefully play the WA PGA Championship as my first event,” he said.
“I’ve got a full amateur season left. So it’s more about preparing for next year.
“I’m pretty happy with the schedule I’ve got at the moment so I think I’ll play that out.”