Wahbi calms nerves and leads #AAAC
A fist pump from Adem Wahbi who leads the AAAC after the opening round.
The Belgian Breath Wahbi was so stressed in the first four holes of the Australian All Abilities championship of today, presented by ISPS Handa, that he "did not even know the direction of his recordings".
But matching the courage of the inaugural integrated championship for golfers with disabilities, he pushed that aside to lead the groundbreaking tournament after the first of three rounds in The Lakes.
Wahbi, who has cerebral palsy, peeled nine consecutive pars from the fifth hole and eventually signed for a beautiful 77 lead by a stroke from the Irish Brendan Lawlor and the Swedish Johan Kammerstad.
New South Welshman Geoff Nicholas, a worldwide legend in the amputated golf community, threw an 8m birdie putt in ninth place, his last hole, to score a 79 and was well in touch with only two behind.
But the day belonged to Wahbi, the world No.9, which gave more than the strange fist pump, clearly fondly the experience in front of the generous Australian Open galleries.
"The first four holes I was completely stressed out, I was not in my game and played really bad, but then I ended well and I am very happy for today," said Wahbi.
"I am happy to be the leader today, but we still have a lot of gaps and I have to concentrate.
"My game is fun, I missed three holes early, but if I stay focused tomorrow on the first few holes, it will be fun."
Kammerstad, which has a difference in leg length of 20 cm, almost played the opposite round, after starting the 10th tee.
Two birdies in his opening eight holes had the bearded Swede one under, but he was "very disappointed" with his ten holes.
"That front nine is difficult, a few tricky holes … but I should have done better," Kammerstad said.
"But I am confident that I can continue, my ball-stroke is strong and it will be nice tomorrow."
Lawlor, who has Ellis-van Creveld's syndrome, was ecstatic, despite what he said were his only three bad shots that cost him a double bogeyman.
"It was an incredible experience, especially with the crowds, I really like it," said the sympathetic Irishman, who had 13 pars and a birdie in a polished display
"Only three bad shots all day, it's all I had, but they cost me a double bogey every time," he said.
"So I played really solid for the rest, really happy with the whole thing.
"I have performed well, but if you are so into vegetables, it is difficult not to do it.
"I'm certainly in a good place, but I love the whole experience and to be here, so it's a plus whether I win or not win."