Round 1 scores
Kiwi's soar to the front!
Kiwis Philip Taturangi and Michael Campbell showed the form that took NZ to Eisenhower glory back in 92 as they led the NZ Open at the end of day one.
Those teeing off the 10th tee in the morning fared the best around Formosa, with three of the leading players teeing off between 8.30 and 8.50. Michael Campbell with 70, Philip Taturangi a sizzling 68, and Rodney Pampling on 70 were the top 3 players at the end of day one. Pampling continued his good form from Adelaide where he led most of the way until a last round collapse saw him drop back.
Wellington's Matthew Lane with a 70 and Blenheim's Elliot Boult who had the best afternoon round with 71 were also up with the leaders. Former winner Grant Waite struggled over the last 9 holes and recorded a 3 over 75.
The conditions were severe but it was the afternoon players who feared the worst, they copped increasing winds (ala Hurricane Tracy) and rain as the afternoon scores ballooned. The difference between the morning and afternoon scores was almost 4 shots with 76 being the average in the morning, while the afternoon players boasted a rack of 8 over par 80's.
Tomorrows forecast is for more of the same, which should see similar scores before it settles back on the weekend when some fine settled weather has been forecasted.
The 7th Hole in particular proved to be a nightmare. The group I caddied with had one 4 and two double bogey fives. Justine Rose was seen on TV leaving his below the ridge and then watching it roll back to his feet from 40 feet, one of the most soul destroying moments a golfer can go through. Justine was one of a number of players to fall to the same fate.
Have a punt on the Golf
Golf Guy has got a couple of hot tips for you. He's been out there, he knows who is looking good and who is dragging their lip. The word is that Cambo (Micheal Cambell) is a good bet. He is near the top of the leaderboard, and has got the support of the home crowd.
Also Chip Beck is a dark horse, and if anyone is capable reeling in the rest of the field it is this guy. He's had a bad year, but he is worth a tenner.
I want to bet now!
Weekend Cut
Friday night the field is cut back from 144 players to 60 and ties, those making the cut earn cheques, those missing the cut are on the first plane back to Aussie to pre-qualify for the Coolum Classic which is the next event of the Australian circuit.
The cut is forecasted to be around 154/155 - 10 to 11 over par, a testament to the trying conditions.
Last week in Adelaide in perfect conditions on a real tough course the cut was 152 which is an example of how much the weather conditions are playing a role.
Bladder control
Just a tip for those thinking about coming out to have a look.
Make sure that you either have a strong bladder, or you make the most of the limited number of porta-loos around the course. At last count there is around 10, 6 behind the Corporate tents near the 18th green and 4 on the left of the 13th. I didn't see any others in my travels.
NZ Golf Foundation
For a small donation of $5 you get 10 balls and the opportunity to win some prizes. NZ Golf Foundation is operating a pitching contest where if you get inside a 2.5 metre circle you get a prize and the opportunity to participate in a shoot out in the afternoon to win a golf bag. For the record, yours truly only needed one shot to pick up a prize, a nice golf glove!!!
Have a go, it's really easy, and if you don't win, the money goes to the development of junior golf in NZ.
[TOP]
