Amateur Zach Murray breaks Queensland Open course record

TOWERING Victorian amateur Zach Murray will debate turning pro next week after his second course record in eight days stunned the field at the Isuzu Queensland Open.

The 21-year-old from Wodonga admitted he was still weary from the energy he spent winning the WA Open last Sunday yet still rattled off another seven birdies in 65 on a calm Thursday morning to lead at Brisbane Golf Club.

He is a staggering 22-under-par for his past five rounds mixing it with the pros and it will be hard to find a reason not to join them full-time at the Australian Open in Sydney in two weeks.

“It’s exciting times and I’m not playing the NSW Open next week so I have time to think through the pros and cons after the chat I’ve already had with my coach (Marty Joyce),” Murray said after his six-under round.

“I was just knackered on Wednesday so I had two sleeps rather than play any practice holes because what I did learn from the WA Open was the ridiculous energy it takes out of you to win.

“There was a sense of calm out there in this round knowing I had the win last week and I just sort of flowed on.”

Aaron Baddeley (1999 Australian Open), Stuart Appleby (1991 Queensland Open) and Curtis Luck (2016 WA Open) are among the top golfers to win Aussie events as amateurs as they propelled careers towards the PGA Tour.

Murray and playing partners Adam Blyth (66) and Rhein Gibson (67) had 19 birdies between them as the hottest group on course fed off each other’s good play.

The 1.95m Murray is tall enough to be a full forward for his beloved Essendon in the AFL yet it wasn’t bombing the ball that set up his round but shrewd two irons off most tees and four birdie putts inside 3m on his opening nine.

Yeppoon product Blyth has no doubts.

“Zach’s game is very impressive, as good as anyone here this week, he makes putts and he’s ready to turn pro.”

Blyth’s wife Nicole is expecting their first child and he joked that “making more birdies” was his best way of support because “I’ve got a bit of an idea about sinking putts but none about babies.”

Murray’s 65 equalled Darren Beck’s course record of last year and the mark will be under siege again on Friday morning in mild conditions.

Former NZ Open winner Jordan Zunic (67), Victorian PGA champion Aaron Pike (68) and NZ Open victor Dan Nisbet (68), who needed a cortisone injection for his shoulder niggle, are also in close pursuit.

Female Gold Coast amateur Becky Kay (75) was tied 96th and ahead off 28 male players after playing the final 14 holes one over par to fight back from a nervous start.

Only Sydney’s Adam Edge and Adelaide’s Antonio Murdaca found a way into the top 15 while playing in the breezy afternoon conditions of the opening round.