SINGAPORE – After turning professional in September 2019, David Micheluzzi came to a crossroads.
While most of his peers decided to try their luck with qualifying school for the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the Australian doubted his ability to compete with the world’s best.
Hence, he honed his craft on the less-heralded PGA Tour of Australasia, where he played all 16 events in the 2022-23 season.
Exceeding expectations, he clinched three titles and seven more top-10 finishes to top the Order of Merit list, earning him full status on the 2024 DP World Tour.
On March 23, the 27-year-old gave another display of what he is capable of as he topped the leaderboard at the Porsche Singapore Classic after 54 holes.
Mixing seven birdies with a bogey, he carded a six-under 66 to claim the lead at the US$2.5 million (S$3.4 million) DP World Tour event with a 13-under 203 total.
Englishmen Andy Sullivan (69) and Sam Bairstow (68) were joint-second one stroke back. India’s Shubhankar Sharma (68) was a further shot behind in fourth.
Recalling his path, world No. 347 Micheluzzi said: “I feel like whatever stage you play on, winning is winning. It doesn’t matter. I see all these guys going to Q-school and potentially getting their cards but I played 16 tournaments (in Australia) being in contention and trying to win.”
Due to his stellar performances on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Micheluzzi qualified for the 2023 British Open, two months after he was given a sponsor’s invite to play in the US PGA Championship.
He added: “I had quite a bit of exposure last year but I don’t expect too much tomorrow. If I get it done, then I get it done. If not, then things are trending. That’s all I really care about because, two weeks ago, it was not great.”
He was referring to his joint-45th finish at the Feb 29-March 3 New Zealand Open, where he had a “breakdown” after the third round as he felt uncomfortable with his game. He decided to change his equipment – getting a new driver, irons and grips – to turn things around.
At Laguna National Golf Resort Club’s Classic Course, his new tools did their jobs. Hovering inside the top 10 for much of the day, he fired four birdies in his back nine to finish on top in 35 deg C heat.
He added: “The last 10 holes, I really got dialled in and holed some putts. I got a bit flustered earlier with how hot it was and was a bit rushed. I just tried to be as patient as possible and take as much time as I need.”
Bairstow, who held the lead for most of the round, was undone by two bogeys in his last six holes.
“Obviously (winning a DP World Tour title) it’s what you dream of as a kid, so to do that would be great but there’s still one round to go,” said the Yorkshire native, 25, who hails from Sheffield, a city that has produced two Major champions, Danny Willett and Matthew Fitzpatrick, and he hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Overnight leader Sullivan endured a roller-coaster round including eight birdies, one bogey and two double-bogeys.
He needed his caddy Guy Tillston to refocus his mind after a torrid three-hole stretch from Nos. 9 to 11 saw him drop five shots, but he drained four birdies in the next seven holes to stay in contention.
The 37-year-old was still in the mood for jokes, adding: “I didn’t really quite know what to expect next. There was laughter, there were tears, there was anger. My mind was clearly in the bin. I’m going to have a large beer in a minute. That’s for damn sure after today. I feel like I deserve that.”
