Golf: Brake spearheads Kiwis to first-round honours

Zoe Brake had the best round of the day in the battle for the Queen Sirikit Cup in Hamilton. Photo / Christine Cornege

All the talk before the event was of her youthful teammates, but when it came to the first round of the Queen Sirikit Cup at Hamilton yesterday 18-year-old Zoe Brake was the star.

Her three-under 69, the best of the day, together with a par round from 15-year-old Cecilia Cho carried New Zealand to a one-shot lead over South Korea and Thailand in the 54-hole teams event.

Brake, who lives in Auckland but plays out of the Whakatane Golf Club, was one of the first out on the course on a day which brought sun, a little rain and a brisk wind that tested the judgment of the players.

In this event that brings together golfers from Australia, New Zealand and 11 Asian countries, Brake's blond locks stood out as did the quality of her play. She had an early three-putt on the par-four second and she fluffed a chip on the fourth.

But she had birdies on two of the par-threes and a golden run round the turn saw her three under with four to play. When she looked likely to drop a shot on the 17th, where she had to take a drop, she sank a 4m putt to save par.

"I knew I could do it beforehand. I really had belief in myself," said Brake. "I had a three-putt and a bad chip, but I know those are things I can fix. I really felt relaxed out there."

Cho was her usual measured self as she completed nine holes two under. But the sting was in the tail of her round as she missed the green on the 16th and couldn't hole a short putt for her par. Another shot went on the next where she misjudged the wind with her second and found a bunker from where she needed three to get down.

"I could have played better," she said.

"My shots into the green were a bit loose and putts that could have helped didn't drop."

The third member of the team, 12-year-old Lydia Ko, had a four-over 76 that will not count to the best-of-three team total. She was never far out of contention but lacked her usual consistency.

No surprise that Korea were in second place. They are the defending champions and have won 11 times since 1989 when they had their first victory at North Shore Golf Club. Ji Hee Kim and Jung Eun Han both shot 71s.

Thailand, who have never won since the tournament was founded in their country in 1979, had 70 from Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and 72 from Jaruporn Na Ayutthaya.

The teams play their second round today from 8am, with New Zealand starting from 9am.