Golf: Good start by NZ in Argentina

Masterton golfer Ben Campbell. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

There's a Campbell leading the way for New Zealand golf overseas - but this time it's not Michael.

Masterton golfer Ben Campbell answered the call to elevate New Zealand into the top 10 after the opening round of the world amateur men's team championship in Argentina today.

Campbell made a superb eagle on his penultimate hole today on his way to a two-under 69 which pushed the New Zealanders into provisional eighth place from the 69 teams competing for the Eisenhower Trophy.

New Zealand shot an even-par 142 on the more demanding Olivos Golf Club today, with Campbell firing a two-under 69 and Auckland's Ryan Fox a two-over 73 while Wellington's Peter Spearman-Burn had the non-counting five-over 76.

France lead the way on seven-under on Buenos Aires course, two shots ahead of Canada with a further two shots back to the trio of Denmark, Sweden and England on three-under. Australia is sixth on one-under with Colombia, who were still on the course, with New Zealand alone in eighth, a shot ahead of USA, Netherlands, Puerto Rico and China.

Campbell said that he was not satisfied with his round despite the good start by the team.

"I left some shots out there for sure. I had four bad holes in a row that were costly but it was pleasing to come back," Campbell said. "I have personally set some really high expectations of myself this week and I know I can do better.

"If you do well here then you get noticed going forward. I think tomorrow and for the rest of the week I need to forget about my score and focus more on the processes."

Team captain John Gatley said the Olivos course was hard and fiery in windy conditions today and therefore difficult to control approach shots.

"The guys got some fliers from very close to the green and that was a bit costly. The greens are quite small targets and also extremely hard," Gatley said.

"I was pleased with the way the boys fought back late in the round and the eagle by Ben and birdie from Ryan were important.

"I know the boys are not satisfied with their day. But I think we have made a very good start. We were in the top three scores on Olivos and yet the guys know they left some shots out there."

Campbell was two-under after 10 holes today before he dropped three shots in five holes. The world No 26 fought back with a birdie at his 15th hole and then the brilliant eagle on his 17th in the two-under 69. He is currently fifth on the individual leaderboard.

Fox was two-over after eight holes today before he made two birdies in a three hole run. The Aucklander then dropped four shots with two bogeys and a double bogey before a fine closing birdie in his two-over 73.

Spearman-Burn mixed a birdie with three bogies in his first nine and could not get going coming home with one dropped shot and a double bogey.

New Zealand are off early in the second round tomorrow on the Buenos Aires course where they are partnered with Wales and Brazil.

- NZPA