World No. 1-ranked amateur Takumi Kanaya birdied his final two holes Thursday for a 6-under 65 a two-stroke clubhouse lead at the Australian Open.
Playing the back nine at The Australian Golf Course to open his round, the Japanese player had five birdies. He bogeyed the par-4 third hole before making birdie on the eighth and ninth holes.
Former champion Matt Jones was among those tied for second with a 67.
Takumi Kanaya of Japan prepares to putt on the 16th green during the opening round of the Australian Open Golf tournament in Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
Presidents Cup International player Marc Leishman shot 69 and was four behind.
‘’I played pretty good, hit some really good shots and hit some stinkers, but coming off a month off you probably expect that,'''Leishman said. ‘’It wasn’t the ideal start.''
The threesome of Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey had an afternoon start, as did Louis Oosthuizen in the group behind, and Ernie Els in the following group. Scott and Oosthuizen are also playing for the International Team at next week's Presidents Cup at Royal and Els is the team captain.
Australia's Marc Leishman tees off on the 3rd hole during the opening round of the Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
The tournament got under way Thursday under clearer skies after Sydney's smoke haze had threatened to cause health issues for some of the players and spectators. After two days of smog, a sea breeze helped improve air quality for the first round.
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Smoke haze fills the air as Mexico's Abraham Ancer tees off on the 2nd hole during the opening round of the Australian Open golf tournament in Sydney, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)