Zunic holds WA armada at bay

Jordan Zunic stalks a putt putt in Kalgoorlie. Photo: PGA of Australia

Jordan Zunic overcame gusts of wind and burning heat to join Jarryd Felton on top of the TX Civil & Logistics WA PGA Championship on Thursday.

Zunic started in 38-degree heat on the Kalgoorlie golf course, but it didn't detract much from the New South Welshman who took a bogey-free 65 in the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour or Australasia tournament.

"I am very hot now, it is super hot there, so I am happy that I am ready for the day, but I felt really good there," said Zunic.

"I hit the ball pretty well and I also put it very well.

"You can always make birdies when you keep an eye on the putts, so it was nice to roll a few today and get the week off to a good start."

Winds made the red dust of the outback swirl and made shots challenging for the afternoon field.

“The wind was a bit tricky. I discovered that it is blowing and feels strong, but I think it doesn't seem to affect the ball that much, "he said.

"It's really hot here, so the sky may be a little thinner compared to when we play on the shore with the wind that really seems to hit your ball.

"I found it quite difficult and the wind blew us into a few holes, so it was a bit tricky and required a bit more concentration."

A birdie on the 18th was the icing on the cake for the Isuzu Queensland Open champion 2018, who will look forward to taking advantage of the cooler conditions when he goes to the 10th tee on morning two.

Jarryd Felton of Western Australia attributed his ball attack to his 65.

An eagle on his final hole was the highlight of the round for the Perth ace whose affinity with the Goldfields layout paid dividends.

"I can't be disappointed with a 65, but I also left a lot of photos," Felton said.

“Hit my balls was really good today. I missed two greens and paid the price like you do in the area, but I saw a lot within 10 feet and couldn't cash in as much as I wanted. But we finally got there anyway.

& # 39; I love it here. I seem to be playing well here. I love this golf course and it definitely rewards a good ball attack, which is one of my strengths. "

Felton sits next to elite company at the top of the leaderboard, where he is only one shot ahead of fellow Western Australian and 2015 WA PGA championship winner Brett Rumford.

"It feels pretty good," Felton said about the results. "We also wore the same outfit today, so I think there's something in it."

Rumford, who has undergone a remarkable recovery since wrist surgery last November, is in third place alongside Matt Jager after firing an impressive round of 66.

“It was really there for the taking. There was no wind. It may have been a little bit on the back nine, but it was still playable, "Rumford said.

"The greens were receptive and at a moderate pace, so if you secure it well and steer it half decently, I think you could get a score and I just used it."

Former west Aussie Matt Jager endured a roller coaster opening round at the WA PGA championship where three bogeys and nine birdies took him to his own wild 66.

Rumford was accompanied on the tee by David Micheluzzi who made his professional debut with an impressive bogey-free 67.

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