Joint men’s-women’s Australian Open golf tournament begins

By BRUCE MATTHEWS
Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Local professional David Micheluzzi shot a course record-equaling 7-under 63 to set the early pace at the historic Australian Open featuring men’s and women’s championships being held concurrently. Micheluzzi had had eight birdies to match fellow Australians Geoff Ogilvy (2011) and Ryan Ruffels (2014) at Victoria Golf Club. Micheluzzi broke through for his debut pro victory at the Western Australian PGA last month and finished top 10 at last week’s Australian PGA at Royal Queensland. Another young Australian, Grace Kim , led the way in the women’s field with a 7-under 66 at neighboring Kingston Heath Golf Club that is being used for the first two rounds of the championships where men and women play in alternate threesomes at the two courses.