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Young German Max Kieffer leant heavily on his local caddy to help him match Adam Scott in the Australian Masters opening round.
On his first visit to Australia, 23-year-old Kieffer went into the tournament without a full practice round at Royal Melbourne because of jetlag and then heavy rain.
Fortunately his veteran Melbourne caddy Graeme Heinrich was able to provide knowledge of Royal Melbourne’s subtleties that helped the world No.264 ranked player post a four-under 67 to equal world No.2 and defending champion Scott.
“I got to Australia on Tuesday from Turkey so I was a bit tired,” said Kieffer, who tied 18th at the European Tour event in Antalya on Sunday.
“I played a practice round and then nine holes in the pro-am but both times the same nine holes and we walked the other nine holes.
“I thought you actually have to know it quite well but I have an Australian caddy from Melbourne who knows the course very well so that helped a lot.”
Kieffer looked right at home as started his round on the 11th hole with a birdie which he followed up with an eagle on 15.
“I love the course; it’s testing every part of your game and you have to be a bit creative,” he said.
“My expectations were very low because my preparation was not as it should be but it was good fun and a good learning experience.”
Originally from Geelong, Heinrich had spent the past 20 years writing yardage books for the European tour.
Caddying in short stints for the likes of Nick Faldo and Frank Nobilo, Heinrich spent a year carrying Colin Montgomerie’s bag before linking with Kieffer in August.
Heinrich said Kieffer had the game to win the Masters this week.
“He’s a fighter and he’s fiesty on the course,” Heinrich said.
“He’s at that age where golf is everything.”
Kieffer is also using the Masters to prepare for next week’s World Cup on the same course where he will partner Marcel Siem in the German team.