Wright to tee off in British Open

Richard Harvey | 29th May 2009

Michael Wright.

Alistair Brightman

MICHAEL Wright will tee off alongside some of the greatest players in the world in the British Open Championship in July.

On Wednesday he swung into action on the fairways and greens alongside plenty of amateurs at the Burrum District Golf Club in Howard during the second annual $10,000 Pro-am.

Wright showed why he is on course for a bright future in the game by carding a seven-under-par round of 63 to finish equal first alongside his travelling partner, Justin Maker.

The pair, who finished tied for first at the Middlemount Pro-am last week, finished two shots clear of another Queenslander, Ian Esson.

Defending champion and former Hervey Bay resident Ricky Schmidt finished tied for 11th after an even-par round of 70.

Hervey Bay Golf Club trainee professional Renton Ritchie finished the best of five Fraser Coast professionals in the field after a round of 68 saw him finish in two-way tie for seventh.

Chris Taylor from the Hervey Bay Golf Driving Range, who won the skins event at the club 24 hours earlier, said you could see why Wright was destined for big things.

“He's a quality golfer and it showed,” said Taylor, who finished tied for 16th.