Australians open on fire in NZ Amateur Strokeplay
IN: News | New Zealand Mens Amateur | New Zealand Amateur Championship (2005) | Round One | 18 Apr 2005
Australian golfer Adam Porker hit eight birdies to lead the morning field with a seven-under par 65 in the opening round of the New Zealand Strokeplay Championships in Palmerston North today.
Porker led an early raid from across the Tasman, with six Australians in the top-10 of the morning field currently in the clubhouse after their first round at Manawatu Golf Club.
The 24-year-old from New South Wales bagged five birdies in seven holes on the back nine in a superb round in idyllic conditions.
He currently holds the early clubhouse lead by two shots from fellow Australians Michael Sim and Justin Maker who both shot five-under par 67, with a further two shots to a group of six players including New Zealand representative Mark Purser (Hamilton) and three more Australians, Mitchell Brown, Marc Leishman and Andrew Dodt.
North Island champion Brad Iles (Tauranga) is a shot further back on two-under although some of his other New Zealand representatives had slower starts with Kevin Chun (Auckland) shooting an even-par 72, Josh Geary (Tauranga) 73, Doug Holloway (Hastings) 74 and South Island champion Mathew Holten (Te Aroha) 75.
A further 90 players teed off this afternoon. There is a cut after tomorrow's second round with the top 72 players plus ties to contest the final 36 holes. The leading 32 players will then contest the matchplay for the New Zealand Amateur Championships starting on Friday, culminating in a 36-hole final on Sunday.
Source - NZGA
