New South Welshman Austin Bautista took an early lead at the WA PGA Championship, shooting a remarkable six-under par 66 on March 14, 2024. The tournament, held at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course, saw Bautista’s stellar performance propelled by an eagle on the second hole, which set the tone for his impressive round.
Bautista’s scorecard featured a front nine of 31, showcasing his strong start. His closest competitor, West Australian Curtis Luck, initially seemed poised to challenge him but faltered with a double-bogey on the 15th hole. Luck finished the day at four-under after a round that included a series of impressive shots.
Several players finished the day tied at five-under, including Cory Crawford from Queensland and veteran golfer Brett Rumford, who won the WA PGA Championship in 2015. Victorian James Marchesani climbed the leaderboard late in the round, reaching five-under after 15 holes but ultimately settled at four-under. Jared Edwards from New Zealand and Jay Mackenzie, the 2021 champion from New South Wales, also concluded their rounds at four-under.
Bautista reflected on his performance, stating that while he did not aim for a specific score, he was focused on making the most of his opportunities. “It started with an eagle on 11, which kind of kicked things off, and then there were a lot of birdies on the course when there’s no wind,” he explained. The golfer expressed his satisfaction with the course conditions, noting, “The greens are the best I’ve ever seen them. They are by far one of the best sets of greens I’ve putted on this season, including in South Africa.”
Despite his struggles, Ryan Peake, the New Zealand Open champion, managed a five-over par 77. Peake, who made his debut at The Open Championship earlier this year, acknowledged his inconsistent performance at Kalgoorlie but remains fond of the course. “Even when I’ve played bad there, I still really enjoy being there,” he said.
Amateur golfer Connor Fewkes from Kalgoorlie-Boulder participated at his home course, finishing with a score of four-over par 76.
As the tournament progresses, players will look to close the gap on Bautista, who heads into the second day with a solid advantage and high confidence. The WA PGA Championship continues to showcase talent and competition at every turn, with players eager to make their mark.
