BUSY TOWNSEND IN THE PICTURE AT AUSTRALIAN PGA CH/SHIP

FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALASIA WEBSITE
By Steve Orme at Coolum, Sportal
Aaron Townsend has confidently declared he's ready to mix it with the big guns this week after firing an impressive 67 on day one of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.
The New South Welshman, who finished in sixth place last year, took advantage of the morning conditions to finish at five under the card, one shot back from clubhouse leader Joon-woo Choi.
"I feel like I have been playing good enough the last couple of years definitely and I feel like it (a victory) is very close," Townsend said of his chances of lifting the Kirkwood Cup.
"I really just hope that I can just keep the same mind-frame and keep hitting the ball the way I am at the moment."
"I am playing with a lot of confidence so if I can continue to do that and I can come across some good putting form I think there is no reason that I couldn't get there at the end.
After starting his round at the 10th hole, Townsend made the turn in one under before catching fire with four birdies on the way home to post the only bogey-free round of the morning wave.
"I hit the ball really well again, unfortunately I could have had two shots less easily," he said.
"I didn't take opportunities when I hit a great shot I left a couple out there but I can't complain with a 67 for first round."
"I am starting to have a really good relationship with this place, it started a little slow but I feel pretty comfortable out there now."
"It is good when you play a golf course like this every year. You sort of do get a knowledge of where you have to hit it and how the course plays."
While the 30-year-old is focused on victory this week, he already has one eye on the next fortnight as he looks to secure his immediate playing future.
"I have a couple of big weeks and obviously this is still an important week, but next week I have the final stage of (qualifying school) in Japan and then straight to final stage in Europe," said Townsend, who plied his trade on the One Asia Tour this season.
"Ideally I would like to get somewhere to play a full-time tour somewhere in the northern hemisphere in the middle of the year."
"That is why you still play these events, it is trying to get confidence and put money in my pocket to go to these things to get to that next step and take advantage - to get on a tour that is 30 events or so."
Asked if he will still head to European Q-School if he secures his Japanese Tour card next week, Townsend replied: "Yes I will, just for the sake of having options to see what happens."
"I really can't see that I am going to lose anything by going and having a go. That will be fantastic to obviously get two cards and then evaluate which one is going to suit me better."

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