Australia’s Daniel Gale made headlines with a spectacular hole-in-one during the Australian PGA Championship, securing a brand-new BMW valued at approximately $295,000. The dramatic moment unfolded on Thursday at Royal Queensland, where play was suspended due to lightning, leaving Spain’s Sebastian Garcia in the lead at -7.
Gale’s impressive performance included a perfect 8-iron shot at the 154-meter par 3 11th hole, placing him two shots behind Garcia at -5. The round was cut short by an afternoon storm sweeping across Brisbane, affecting both Gale and Garcia’s ability to finish.
Early Leaders and Notable Performances
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Australia’s Anthony Quayle were among the four players sharing the clubhouse lead after shooting four-under-par rounds of 67. Quayle, making his debut as a DP World Tour member, had the experienced Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’ former caddie, by his side. His bogey-free round was matched by Fox, China’s Wenyi Deng, and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen.
Min Woo Lee made a strong start with two birdies and an eagle in his first nine holes, finishing one shot off the lead at -3, alongside players such as Adam Scott. Meanwhile, Cameron Smith, after posting two birdies in his first six holes, found himself further back at -2 due to the damp course conditions from earlier storms.
Controversial Early Tee Times
The tournament’s early tee times sparked reactions from several players. Cameron Smith humorously criticized the 2:45 am wake-up call, stating,
“Oh geez. Not getting up at 2:45, I can tell you that much. That was crazy.”
Despite the early start, Smith expressed comfort playing in his home city, Brisbane.
Min Woo Lee echoed similar sentiments about the early start, noting the disruption to his sleep schedule. Adam Scott also commented on the unusual timing, admitting he shortened his preparation to accommodate the early rise,
“That’s pretty wild getting up that early to play golf. The good bit is you get kind of nine holes in fairly cool weather and now I can go and have a second breakfast.”
Impact of Tiger’s Ex-Caddie
Anthony Quayle benefited from the expertise of Steve Williams, whose presence was felt immediately. Quayle praised Williams for his positive and clear guidance during the round,
“I think he’s probably the most positive and clear caddie that I’ve ever worked with.”
Williams’ influence will continue at next week’s Australian Open, where he will again caddie for Quayle.
International Contenders and Local Favorites
International players made a strong showing, with three of the four clubhouse leaders being non-Australians. Ryan Fox, aiming to become the first New Zealander to win the Australian PGA in nearly three decades, felt rejuvenated after a two-month break from competitive play.
“Probably left a little bit out there on the greens, but holed a couple of nice ones as well and drove it good,”
Fox reflected on his performance.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf star Marc Leishman and PGA Tour player Cam Davis were at -2 when play was halted. Defending champion Elvis Smylie made a promising start, shooting two-under par, while Jeff Guan, recovering from a severe eye injury, ended at +1.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on the weather conditions and whether players like Daniel Gale can maintain their momentum. The early tee times will continue to be a talking point, as players adapt to the challenging schedule. The competition remains fierce, with both local and international talents vying for the prestigious title.
