Golf: Brodie leads NZ seniors by one

Taupo golfer Eric Brodie leads the New Zealand seniors championship at Waitikiri in Canterbury by one shot after an opening par round par today.

Brodie began well with a two-under par front nine, and despite dropping two shots coming home he's the only player to avoid shooting over par.

"I got off to a good start with birdies on 10, 16 and 1, before gagging it a little," Brodie said. "Waitikiri is a good tight course, it is playing long. I'm a little longer than the average golfer so it suited me nicely."

Brodie, who was a member of the New Zealand senior team who claimed the Asia-Pacific senior amateur championship in 2009, made three birdies and three bogeys in his round.

He leads Graham Bowen by one shot after the West Australian golfer held the morning round lead with a one-over 72.

Taranaki rep Murray Martin, who won the title on his home course in New Plymouth in 2011, is in a five-way share of third place with John Small (Peninsula), Peter Saggers (Scotland), John Sanders, (Christchurch) and Andrew McKechnie (St Andrews).

New Zealand seniors leaderboard after the first round at the Waitikiri Golf Club in Canterbury today:

Eric Brodie (Wairakei) 71, 1; Graham Bowen (Australia) 27, 2; John Small (Peninsula), Murray Martin (New Plymouth), Peter Saggers (Scotland), Andrew McKechnie (Hamilton), John Sanders (Christchurch) 73, T3; Frank Borren (Paraparaumu Beach), Rodney Barltrop (Wellington), 74, T8; Tala Natapu (Amberley), Peter Walker (Ashburton), Mike Leitch (Maungakiekie) 75, T10.