TIM Hart shot a stunning eight-under round of 64 to lead the Midlands-Ballarat Golf Clubs Perpetual Trophy tournament after day one.
The Queenslander’s efforts on Saturday gave him a one-shot advantage over Tasmanian Clint Rice (65) ahead of Sunday’s second and final round.
Despite his victory in the Midlands pro-am and the lead in the two-day event, Hart is unavailable and won’t be returning for the Ballarat Golf Club leg on Sunday.
This means Rice – who is two shots clear of Ballarat golfer Andrew Cartledge (67) – is the man to beat in the 36-hole tournament.
Ryan Haywood, Ben Ford and Damien Jordan are equal fourth after carding score of 68 on Saturday.
While the professionals played stroke, the amateurs took part in a Stableford competition.
And it was Riley Orr that won the A-grade competition with a score of 45 points. He beat runner-up Mark Petrie by a solitary point.
