Coxon leads charge for Kiwi contingent

Nick Coxon of New Zealand play a tee shot during the 2016 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. Photo / Supplied

Waikatos Nick Coxon is flying the flag for New Zealand sitting in a tie for fifth after round one of the 2016 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship shooting a round of three under, 69.

It was a day of what ifs for the six strong Kiwi side with plenty of birdies on every card, but all players found it tough to negate the bogeys.

To make Coxons round all the more special, he arrived on the range to find a crack in his go-too three iron and played the round without it. The 20 year old then opened his account with a double bogey to continue his bad run of luck on the opening morning.

He then responded with five birdies to show class and mental strength that proved he is able to play at this high level of golf.

"I just had to try and steady the ship with a couple of birdies and I managed to do that. I was confident after that and kept playing solidly which was good."

"It was good fun and a solid start, its just nice to get underway and in pretty good fashion," said Coxon.

"I just took my chance when I needed to and made a few birdies and Ill try to keep it going."

Coxon almost found the scenario comical when asked about his faithful three iron.

"I was about to tee off and I looked at the face on my three-iron and there was a crack right at the bottom of it. So I just had to go without it. There were two tee shots where I really wanted it but I managed."

His casual demeanour was a calming factor in a great opening performance against the best amateur golfers in the world.

"Everyones got two arms and two legs so well be all right."

The day of what ifs was highlighted by more than just Coxon. Luke Toomey and Nick Voke both finished on one under par with Toomey making six birdies coupled with two doubles in a round where he was so close.

They may only be at one under par and six shots back from Australian Cameron Davis, but they still sit in a tie for 10th which shows most struggled on day dot.

Northlands Luke Brown also made his quota of birdies with five throughout the round. However, they were matched with five bogeys to end the day flat with the card. In his debut Asia-Pacific Amateur, this was a great start for the 21 year old.

Also on debut, Daniel Hillier made his way around the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course at one over par. Once again there were more positive signs before back to back bogeys on 13 and 14 slowed his round down, but at the ripe age of 18 this is a very positive start to his campaign and this experience alone can only do his favours leading into next years event, hosted in his home city of Wellington.

Ryan Chisnall had a day to forget and even with a glorious eagle on the 18th to finish the day, his round of six over par will be tough to swallow for the Eisenhower rep.

Round Two Tee Times (NZT):

Luke Toomey R2 - 10:01am

Ryan Chisnall R2 - 10:24am

Daniel Hillier R2 - 10:45am

Nick Coxon R2 - 3:31pm

Nick Voke R2 - 3:53pm

Luke Brown R2 - 4:46pm

The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be live on Sky Sport this week, the broadcast schedule is:

Round 2 Friday October 7 - 6:00pm Sky Sport Pop Up 56

Weekend details TBC

Live Score Updates

http://www.aacgolf.com/scoring/

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ