A Queenslander who's about to hit the circuit for a second time shot a competitive-best 11-under par to bolt in Wodonga's pro-am on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gavin Fairfax fired nine birdies and an eagle in the morning round for a sizzling 61 to virtually seal the title with more than half the field still to tee off.
It smashed Justin Gamble's course record of 65 in November, 2014.
"It's my best round in a tournament, I've shot 11-under twice before that but just in a club competition," he said.
Fairfax started on the par-four 13th and birdied that before landing four straight pars.
"I hit all the greens in regulation, but just didn't work it close enough to give myself any good looks (at the hole)," he said.
However, his game clicked as he rattled off six straight birdies to charge to seven-under with seven holes left.
An eagle followed on the par-five 7th hole.
"I hit a solid drive up the middle and then hit a six-iron, I left that probably eight-feet (2.44m) underneath the hole and rolled the putt in," he said.
Fairfax grabbed two more birdies on nine and 10, finishing with just 24 putts.
"Putting's generally been the strength of mine for 12 months or so, if I can hit it well, I'll shoot a decent score," he said.
The 31-year-old had an outstanding amateur career, claiming the prestigious Keperra Bowl in his home State, before turning pro at 21.
He spent five years on tour, including stints on the Australasian and Asian circuits.
One of the tallest players at 196cms, Fairfax won a handful of pro-ams and featured in the first stage of Qualifying School in Asia.
"I got to the age where I had to look at setting myself up for the future, so I wanted to look at buying a house, that sort of thing," he said.
"That's when I started my traineeship (at Redland Bay Golf Club near Brisbane) and I've just finished that, so I'll go out again and start playing (on the tour) now."
Fairfax was pipped by Englishman Michael Bulleen in the $60,000 National Futures Championship for trainees at Ballarat Golf Club in October and as the top Australian claimed a spot in next week's Australian PGA at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
He will spend the next few months playing in Australia, but the ultimate goal is claiming a Tour card at Japanese Q School next year.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Fairfax was able to claim some 'home' advantage as his partner Laura Power's family is Wangaratta-based.
He collected $2694 for the victory.
Former world number one amateur Brady Watt finished second with 65, while Wodonga amateur Daniel Gill was third on 67.
Fellow local Zach Murray was part of a group on 68.