Australian rookie Brett Coletta has won high praise from playing partner Sam Saunders after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament in Columbus.
Saunders, who shot a four-under-par 68 to be just three behind leaders David Lingmerth and Jason Dufner, was most impressed by the 20-year-old and predicts big things for the Victorian.
"I'm as impressed with his game as any young guy I've ever played with," said Saunders, grandson of the late Arnold Palmer.
"Brett hits it long and solid, he can shape the ball and his short-game is really solid. He's going to have an extremely bright future."
On a day when Australian big names Jason Day (75) and Adam Scott (76) faltered, Coletta shot a gutsy even-par 72 to be in a tie for 35th.
He fought back from two double-bogeys on his front nine to leave himself in the frame to make the cut at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event, in only his second Tour start.
"I'm really pleased with how I hung in there after a couple doubles. It's quite daunting; starting with a birdie early in your round but then putting two balls in the water," Coletta told AAP.
"It'd be unreal to make my first weekend on the PGA Tour. I just need to give every shot 100 per cent focus."
Coletta, who became the first amateur in 25 years to win the professional Queensland Open in 2016, has also impressed Memorial Tournament honouree and former world No.1 Greg Norman.
"Brett can win; there's no reason why he cannot," said the 62-year-old Australian on Wednesday.
Share
