SP Brewery PNG Open

Crawford checked in as clubhouse leader after 72 holes at 10-under par and faced an agonising wait for Brett Rankin to finish his round, who was also 10-under, in the group behind him.

Rankin had the chance to seal victory in regulation but was only able to make par on the 18th, forcing a playoff for the second year in a row at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.

The pair could not be separated through five playoff holes on the par-3 18th, both making par on all attempts.

The blemish free round was the best score of the day and has Crawford currently in a three-way-tie in the lead at 8-under par.

“I stayed patient all day and didn’t really make any mistakes which is always helpful and that kept the bogeys off the scorecard,” Crawford said.

After scoring 1-under 70 in the opening round, Crawford said starting from the 10th hole today he was the benefactor of a lot more holes falling in his favour.

Firing a first round 7-under 65, Marchesani looked in fine form from the get go, racing out of the gate with three birdies on the first three holes. 

A bogey on four stunted his momentum but he was able to quickly re-gather composure with three more birdies to close the front-9.

“It was a nice start, especially out here it’s always nice to get a few birdies early,” Marchesani said following his opening round.

“It gets your confidence going on the greens and you’re able to try and wiggle a few in.”    

In 2016, his results heading to Papua New Guinea included a top-20 in the Oates Vic Open, top-50 in the Victorian PGA Championship and made both cuts at the NZ PGA Championship and ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open.

His preparation this season bares striking resemblances, another top-20 and top-50 in the Vic Open and Victorian PGA Championship and similar finishes during the Tour’s New Zealand swing recently.

It’s a solid start to the 26-year-old’s career and he is happy with the direction his game is heading with a full season under his belt.