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 First day scoring blitz in Carrus Tauranga Open Thursday 26th April, 2007 New Zealand representative Leighton James cured his recent ills to post a brilliant eight-under par 63 and a share of the first round lead in the Carrus Tauranga Open today. The 22-year James bagged eight birdies without blemish and was joined by Taihape professional Hamish Robertson at the head of the pack at the Tauranga Golf Club. The $40,000 tournament is run under the umbrella of Golf Tour New Zealand (GTNZ), established by Greg Turner to provide opportunities for young New Zealand professionals and to raise the bar for the leading amateurs, both men and women. The 119-strong field took advantage of idyllic conditions with a remarkable 44 players shooting under par, with even-par the current cut for the leading 60 players plus ties for the final two rounds. James and Robertson hold a one shot lead over a trio consisting of 16-year-old Manawatu prospect Josh Munn, Arrowtown amateur Sean Roach and Cape Kidnappers greenkeeper Michael Wilson on 64. Professional Brad Shilton is in a share of sixth place on six-under 65 with fellow Hamiltonian Mathew Perry. North Island Amateur champion Nick Gillespie shares eighth place on five-under 66 with Australian-based professional Martin Pettigrew, and Taranaki international Troy Ropiha. New Zealand Amateur champion Danny Lee (Rotorua) is in a group of eight players on four-under 67. James (The Grange) has been disappointed with his form of late but an experiment on the practice range sparked his outstanding round. "I’ve been playing like a dog lately. My ball striking has been bad and it’s been back to the drawing board for me and my coach Stuart Reese," James said. Luckily the New Zealand selectors picked their teams a bit earlier otherwise I might not have made it," said James who leads to the Four Nations Cup competition next month. I've been working really hard. Today I tried something on the range and it felt great. And it worked today. I really flushed it close all day and made quite a few 3m putts." He made four birdies on each side in his 63 in the afternoon round. Robertson, who has been playing on the Australian Von Nida Tour, fired 10 birdies in his outstanding round. After reaching five-under at the 10th, he dropped two shots before a white hot run to birdie the last five holes. Full scores: Tauranga LeaderboardFor further information: |
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