Murray calm in pursuit of golfing history

In-form Zach Murray isn't feeling the heat despite being on the cusp of something no other Australian amateur golfer has done in the modern era.

Zach Murray

Zach Murray shot a six-under-par 65 in the opening round of the Queensland Open. (AAP)

Zach Murray's sudden charge towards Australian golfing history means the celebratory beers will have to wait until Christmas.

The Victorian amateur notched a wire-to-wire win in last week's WA Open, opening the tournament with a blistering eight-under round of 64.

And the 21-year-old showed his putter hadn't cooled to hold the round one lead at the Queensland Open on Thursday.

His six-under-par 65 at Brisbane Golf Club equalled the course record, while playing partner Adam Blyth is one shot back in outright second in the $110,000 event.

No amateur has won back-to-back events on the Australasian Tour in the modern era, but Murray isn't fussed as he eyes an unlikely slice of history.

"There was actually a bit of a sense of calm out there after last week, knowing I had the weight off my shoulders," he told AAP.

"I'm in a bit of a hot run of form and you've just got to jump on and hold on for as long as you can."

His biggest concern has been the mental fatigue sustained by staving off contenders for four days in Perth.

"I was pretty knackered; I was going to have a couple of beers but was just too tired," he said.

"Usually I would've hooked in, but it just takes it out of you ... it was probably a good thing I didn't.

"I might just lay off the frothies for a bit and save them until Chrissy time."

Murray's WA Open win earned him full status on the PGA Tour of Australasia until the end of the 2019 season, if he opts to turn pro.

Admitting the Perth breakthrough had been a "serious game changer", the relaxed character said that may be a job for next week.

"There's a lot to organise and I can't be bothered trying to think about what's going on off the course when I'm trying to play," he said.

"I'll take a week off (and skip the NSW Open) when I don't have to worry about making eight-foot par putts."

Playing an historic round of her own, amateur Becky Kay dropped five shots across the first nine holes before showing her touch on the back nine.

The first female to compete against the men in the tournament's history mixed three birdies with two back-nine bogeys to recover to four-over.


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Source: AAP


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