Matthew Griffin Fires Course Record 61 To Lead The Heritage Classic
Drummond Golf Ambassador Matthew Griffin produced a sizzling 11-under 61 on day one to lead the Heritage Classic by one shot. The incredible round featured 11 unanswered birdies and bettered the course record at the picturesque St John Course previously set by David Bransdon in 2013 by a whopping three shots. The 40-year-old Victorian made a solid start to his day covering the front nine in 3-under. Griffin, who owns seven professional titles, then made a run of eight straight birdies on the back nine to return a tally of just 28 on the inward side. The astonishing streak fell one short of the PGA Tour of Australasia record for the most consecutive birdies of nine, set by James Nitties at the 2019 Victorian Open.
Griffin, a member at Victoria Golf Club, turned professional in 2008 and claimed his maiden professional victory the at the 2009 Fiji Open. Other awards include winning the the 2013 OneAsia Order of Merit and the 2016 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
The personal best lowest 18-hole score sets Griffin up for a run at his first title success since winning the New Zealand Open in 2016. Griffin leads Western Australia's Joshua Greer by one shot. Six players carded scores of 7-under 65 that include Jason Norris, Chris Crabtree, Cameron John, Brett Coletta, Josh Armstrong and Jak Carter.
Defending champion David Brandson returned a 5-under 67.
