Moorhead rides a spree of birdies

New Plymouth professional Grant Moorhead played practically flawless golf in securing a two-shot win over the almost equally impressive Ryan Fox in the annual DHL Forwarding and Recreational Services pro am tournament played at the Eketahuna and Masterton courses over the weekend.

Moorhead fired eight birdies while shooting a 63 at Eketahuna on Saturday and continued his brilliant form with a further seven birdies in his round of 64 at Masterton on Sunday.

Fox, son of former All Black Grant Fox and in his rookie year on the professional circuit after being ranked as the country's top amateur, couldn't match Moorhead for consistency but the Aucklander made a huge impression with his fighting qualities. His 65 at Eketahuna came after he strung together four birdies in his last five holes and his 64 at Masterton included an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys.

Taupo's Troy Ropiha was seven shots awry of Fox in third place after shooting 70 at Eketahuna and 66 at Masterton and sharing fourth just one shot further back were Leighton James (Hastings), Richard Lee (North Harbour) and Gareth Paddison (Wellington).

Both the Eketahuna and Masterton courses were in superb condition with the fine weather also playing its part in the low scoring.

Leading scores from the professionals were:

127 Grant Moorhead (Taranaki) 63, 64; 129 Ryan Fox (Auckland) 65, 64; 136 Troy Ropiha (Taupo) 70, 66; 137, Leighton James (Hastings) 69, 68; Richard Lee (North Harbour) 68, 69;

Gareth Paddison (Wellington) 66, 71; 138 Jason McIntosh (Taupo) 70, 68; Clarke Osborne (Auckland) 67, 71; Benjamin Taylor (Mount Maunganui) 70, 68; Pieter Zwart (Waipukurau) 68, 70; 140 Mark Brown (Wellington) 71, 69; Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 71, 69.

Meanwhile, Masterton's Ben Campbell has been named at No1 in the New Zealand men's amateur golf side to play Australia in their Transtasman Cup match in Melbourne from March 7 to 9.

Campbell will be joined by current national amateur champion Mathew Perry (Hamilton), Vaughn McCall (Gore) and Blair Riordan (Takaka).