Uber driver steals the show at Australian Open
An Uber driver ranked just inside the world’s top 2000 has upstaged some of the biggest names at the Australian Open.
Adam Stephens, currently ranked 1939th in the world, claimed a shock share of the clubhouse lead during the first round on Thursday in Sydney.
Stephens shot a well-made 69 to be -3, momentarily taking the clubhouse lead.
Meanwhile, Brandt Snedeker is living up to his billing as one of the favourites at The Lakes.
The US PGA Tour stalwart took advantage of two par fives on the front nine to reach the turn at two under for the championship.
Playing alongside Snedeker in the marquee morning group on Thursday, Cameron Smith endured a roller-coaster first nine, mixing two birdies with two bogeys to be even par.
Australia’s highest-ranked player vying for the Stonehaven Cup this year in the absence of Jason Day and Marc Leishman, Smith hooked his second into the water on the par-5 14th and dropped another shot on the 16th hole.
Runner-up to Craig Parry 11 years ago, Snedeker was one behind alongside Korean Byeong Hun An and local hopes Dimitrios Papadatos, Adam Stephens, Anthony Choat and Matthew Stieger.
Stonehaven Cup hopefuls were expected to have to negotiate winds up to 35km/h and rain during the opening round.
The possibility was high that a shorter and more accurate champion would prevail in the same way Peter Senior (2012), Greg Chalmers (2011) and Geoff Ogilvy (2010) did on the past three occasions the event was held at the course.
