Gap years help Nick Cullen make Australian Masters grade A LATE bloomer has taken the early lead at the Australian Masters. Nick Cullen realised he wanted to be a professional golfer only when he was halfway through a double degree in international business and international studies, but yesterday he upstaged world No 2 Adam Scott to finish atop the leaderboard after the opening round at Royal Melbourne. Cullen, the twin brother of former Test cricketer Dan Cullen, fired six birdies and an eagle as he kicked off his Masters assault with a six-under-par 65, good enough for a two-shot lead over defending champion Scott (67) and German Maximillian Kiefer (67).