Golf

Rumford co-leads, Oosthuizen lurks at Lake Karrinyup

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: Brett Rumford of Australia plays his tee shot on the 8th hole during round one of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 at Lake Karrinyup Country Club on February 16, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Australian Brett Rumford was right at home during the first round of the World Super 6 in Perth on Thursday and shot 66 to co-lead with Japan’s Hideto Tanihara.

‘Just a solid 33 front, 33 back, for a 66,’ said Rumford. ‘That’s pretty much how the round unfolded. It was nothing ‑‑ no stretches of brilliance, just a consistent round of golf.’

The 39 year old grew up in Perth and used home advantage to reach six under par by the end of the first round, but everybody is bidding for position in order to make Sunday.

The top 24 after three rounds will progress to a six-hole match play format, the first of its kind, in which a knockout system will decide the winner.

The top eight players of the 24 receive a bye for the first round of match play, and Rumford will likely be in that niche due to his local knowledge.

‘It’s relatively generous off the tee when the wind’s not blowing as strong as what it was this morning, but the greens being a bit more receptive as well, fairly large greens, quite generous, and they’re actually rolling very, very well. So best course to be at today,’ he said.

Oosthuizen kept a clean sheet despite the blustery conditions and added birdies at the ninth, 11th, and 14th for three under par in the clubhouse.

The 2010 Open Champion was finished third at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago, thereby shaking the rust from a long holiday break.

He was quick off the mark in Perth on Thursday and will surely make the top 24, but competing for six holes is new territory for all of the professionals.

The outcome of this new format remains to be seen.