Day one digest: Australian PGA Championship

Everything you need to know from day one at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Antipodean dominance, some outrageous luck and some not so good fortune were on the agenda as the 2020 Race to Dubai made its first trip to Australia.

Here is everything you need to know from day one at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

Locals heroes coast up the leaderboard

The Australian PGA Championship is one of the trophies that all Australian golfers want to get their hands on and that was clear from some of the performances on Thursday. Australians Lucas Herbert and Brett Rankin led the way at five under with four Aussies then in the group in second. New Zealanders were also well represented, with Ryan Chisnall also in a share of second, one shot ahead of four of his countrymen (and three more Australians). Home comforts indeed.

The bomber brothers

The moment the draw came out for the Australian PGA Championship, eyes were drawn to the group containing Ryan Fox and Cameron Champ - two of the biggest hitters in the world of golf. Champ may have won the long drive honours but it was Fox who won the day, firing a 69 to his playing partner's 71. "I got Cam on a couple of holes - 11 and 12 - that’s two more than I expected to get from the week," said Fox. "I want to egg him on and see what he’s really got but I don’t know him well enough yet. Maybe tomorrow we might get one."

How unlucky can you get?

Ever come this close to an ace? Me neither.

How lucky can you get?

These are the sort of bounces only the pros get.

Must be something in the water.

In Cink

By the sea? Check. Needs some imagination? Check. We may not be on a links layout but this is the shot of an Open Champion.