Deyen Lawson takes command at WA Open
Deyen Lawson – photo PGA of Australia
Gold Coast based Victorian Deyen Lawson has taken a commanding lead at the WA Open, his opening rounds of 62 and 63 at the West Australian Golf Club sweeping him to a six-shot lead over local amateur Adam Brady and former West Australian but now also Gold Coast based Michael Sim.
Lawson has often contended in PGA Tour of Australasia events including four runner-up finishes but, to date, has never won so the next two days provide a tremendous opportunity for the 31 year old.
Lawson has played the DP World Tour and the European Challenge Tour in recent times and secured a European Tour card for 2019 but like so many others the continuity of his career was impacted by Covid.
Despite his lack of success in Europe Lawson suggested his time there has been crucial his developing his game and his approach to it.
“I’m just getting a bit older. I’ve been out here a little while now. I’ve been in Europe since 2018 and played with some of the best in the world. It’s not a coincidence why they’re the best in the world, the way they go about it.
“Nothing seems to faze them. They do get frustrated but you watch someone like Cam Smith and (Rory) McIlroy, it just looks like they’re having a bit of a stroll.
“They’re good players but the way they handle it is really impressive.”
Lawson’s round was highlighted by three eagles, one of which was holed from the fairway but he would also eagle two par 5’s to go with four birdies and even a double bogey at the par 3 16th could not stop an incredible display.
Brady is one of West Australia’s and Australia’s brighter amateur prospects and is looking to become one of several amateurs to have won this event over the last few years. Last year, local Hayden Hopewell defeated his fellow amateur Hadyn Barron while Zach Murray, Curtis Luck and Oliver Goss are others to have won this title before turning to the paid ranks.
“The heart will be racing I’m sure on the first tee but that’s why I play. I’m excited for it,” said Brady, who plays his golf out of The Vines Resort in the Swan Valley.
“My parents are in Spain so they won’t be here but I’m sure they’ll be cheering me on. Hopefully get some people out from the golf club to come and watch. That’d be great.”
Sim is no stranger to contention in PGA Tour of Australasia and other events having won both the Queensland Open and the Queensland PGA Championship but he has also won four times on the Korn Ferry Tour in the US so he enters the weekend as one of the most experienced and credentialed plays in the field and will be hard to hold out.
