A new course record and a couple of hole-in-ones were all part of an action-packed opening round of the Wagga Pro-Am on Thursday.
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In one of the most explosive rounds in the tournament's history, Victorian golfer Andrew Kelly set the Wagga Country Club alight, shooting an opening round 62 to set a new course record.
Kelly will take a two shot lead into the second and final day of the Pro-Am, with his old housemate Jack Wilson among those coming hard at him in the chasing pack.
A feature of Wilson's round of 65 was a hole-in-one on the second hole, while Dale Brandt-Richards aced the seventh.
Pacific Dunes professional Jamie Hook finished the day in second place with an opening round of 64, eight under par.
Kelly, who hails from Wangaratta, was surprised to find himself in the lead at the halfway mark.
"It's a bit of a shock, it was good," Kelly said.
"I kind of thought everyone else would be doing it because the scores have been pretty good the last few days in this area.
"I'm pretty excited but who knows, I'd love to say I could come out and do it again but who knows what will happen. I'm looking forward to it."
Kelly's confidence returning to Wagga was mixed.
"I played in South Australia last week and played terribly, awful actually," he said.
"I grew up in Wangaratta so I stopped in to see my parents on the way here. I practised as good as I have for 12 months but I'm at the age now where I realise that doesn't necessarily mean anything, good practice doesn't guarantee you good scores.
"I was pretty optimistic. I came out and birdied my first two holes and all of a sudden I was up and going."
His housemate of four years, Wilson, who is from Echuca, is looking forward to taking on his good mate in the final round.
"I'm hoping for the best for him but at the same time, I want to win too so I'll be cheering for him to hook it in the trees," Wilson said with a laugh.
"It was awesome today, I was rapt with it. It's such a good event here with the crowd and the course is in sensational nick given the conditions."
Hook has been coming to Wagga for seven years and is happy to be in contention.
"I'm pumped. It's always good to play well," he said.
"I've just got to do it again."
Of the big names, champion Australian golfer Peter O'Malley finished at four under, as did James Nitties.
Dimitrios Papadatos sits at three under, along with defending champion Nathan Green and Michael Long.
WAGGA PRO-AM LEADERBOARD
-10 Andrew Kelly
-8 Jamie Hook
-7 Jack Wilson
-6 Benjamin Clementson, Daniel Gale
-5 Matthew Stieger, Tim Hart
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