Golf: Unlikely trio shoot to Open lead

A trio of golfers of different ages and cultures leads the 2014 Carrus Open after the opening round played in ideal conditions at the Tauranga Golf Club yesterday.

Experienced Aucklander Richard Lee and rookie Fijian pro Vikrant Chandra shot six-under 64s, with young Masterton pro Harry Bateman a shot further back at five-under.

Lee, who teed off the 11th, made four twos in a five-under par 29 on the inward nine holes. He is no stranger to a birdie blitz around the Tauranga course, after shooting 59 in 2010 to set the course record he shares with local Jared Pender, who fired a one-under 69 yesterday.

The highlight of Lee's round was nearly holing his drive on the 280m par four 2nd hole, which left him a simple tap in for eagle.

"I made eagle there and I hit a couple of really nice iron shots on the par threes after that and ended up making four twos on the back nine to post a good number," he said.

"I want to play well this week but I also want to work on a few things and prepare for the big events coming up. Today's round had some good moments. If you birdie the par threes you normally have a pretty good round."

Mount Maunganui's Josh Geary had an opening round of two-under par 68.

He is after a record three wins from three starts at the Carrus Open but admits he was baffled by the greens.

"I am just frustrated," Geary said. "A lot of putts, slid by, lipped out, just missed. I hit it out of bounds on 8 and took double there. Two-under par wasn't a really good reflection of how I played. It was one of those days where there was cellophane over the hole."

Mark Brown, the 2012 champion, shot 68, with Ryan Fox a shot further back on 69.

Omanu professional James Hamilton, who won on the Charles Tour last year, was one of nine players on three-under 67, including amateurs Harry Hillier (Te Puke) and Landyn Edwards (Rotorua).

William Howard (Rotorua) had a two-under 68, Karl Knedler (Tauranga) and Hayden Beard (Mount Maunganui) shot 69, while Bailey Smith (Mount Maunganui) and Hayden Odonnell (Tauranga) had even-par 70s.

Round 2 draw: www.golf.co.nz.