Hot Harwood leads Aus PGA Seniors

FORM: Mike Harwood freewheeled his way to a 63.

Mike Harwood leads a top heavy leaderboard after round of one of the Australian PGA Seniors Championship after an impressive seven under par 63.

With the temperature hovering in the mid-1930s, the veteran Victorian was on his freewheeling best around the tight Richmond Golf Club layout, carding seven birdies and an eagle, more than offsetting the two bogeys he made the middle of the round .

Two shots behind his Peter Senior and the Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open Champion Michael Long last week, which came out 67 & # 39; s. Stephen Herbert and Lyndsay Stephen are one more chance for third place, while three players are three, Peter Lonard, John Wade and Terry Price.

All eyes, however, were directed at Harwood, who described the round as one of the best he had for a long time.

"I played really well there," said Harwood. "I do not think I played this well in at least ten years."

After a test year on the European Staysure Tour, Harwood started to show his eyes during the NSW Open last week. He credits the revival of the late season to a few factors; a new set of clubs went into the bag last month, a change of golf ball, and a lesson from his coach, Bruce McLean.

"I had a fantastic lesson with Bruce two weeks ago and it has taken a few weeks to get better.

"I had a new set of clubs that made Gary Tozer good for me and that are great, and this new AVX ball.

"I almost jump out of bed in the morning to get here," he smiled.

Harwood has been around long enough to know not to count those chickens before they hatch, especially around a job as close as Richmond.

"Today is the first time I can really go, because I can not remember it, hopefully it's nice if you can get that feeling back, because it's been a long time ago

"Let's see if I can keep up," he added.

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