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Jarrod Lyle tied third at Australian PGA

Asian Tour stalwart Jarrod Lyle delivered a steady opening round performance after a six-under-par 66 in the Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship on Thursday.

The young Victorian, who is a leukemia-survivor, completed his first round encounter in joint third position after scoring seven birdies against a lone bogey at the Hyatt Regency Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Compatriot James Nitties fired a 64 for a one stroke lead over second place Bradley Iles of New Zealand.

Lyle enjoyed a good spell on the Asian Tour as he secured his card for next season. Lyle, who played in his first ever British Open in July, is currently ranked 27th on the Asian Tours’ UBS Order of Merit.

Malaysia’s top golfer Danny Chia carded three birdies against two bogeys for a 71 in tied 47th place alongside Korean youngster Lee Sung, Unho Park and Tony Carolan of Australia.

Filipino star Angelo Que was even-par for the day in tied 65th place together with Australians Brad Kennedy, who had won several mini events in his home state of Queensland, Adam Le Vesconte, Gary Simpson, Gavin Flint and Terry Pilkadaris.

Andrew Buckle, who had recently booked his US PGA Tour card for 2007, had a slow start after a 73 alongside 2006 Philippine Open winner Scott Strange in joint 89th position. The other Asian Tour players in action were Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-lan in 101st after a 74 and Kane Webber and Mahal Pearce who shot matching 77s in 130th place.

December 7, 2006