North Harbour professional Josh Carmichael catapulted into the lead at the Wairakei Golf Open yesterday after carding a course record seven-under 65.
Carmichael, who had wins in the PNG Open last year and the Tahiti Open in 2007, was at home on the Wairakei International course on the opening day
in the second event of the Charles Tour.
He has a two-shot lead over Auckland-based professional Brad Shilton, while a group of players, including Taranaki's Grant Moorhead, fellow professionals Mathew Holten and Dale Clarke, and Wellington amateurs James Donnelly and Thomas Spearman-Burn, sit a further two shots behind on 69.
US-based professional Doug Batty, back to compete in the Charles Tour for the first time, managed a two-under par 70 in the calm conditions, one of 35 players to shoot par or better.
Carmichael's outstanding round of 65 off the championship tees is one shot better than the previous course record, set by Phil Tataurangi.
Starting off the 10th, Carmichael was one-under at the turn before reeling off an eagle and four birdies to rush home in six-under 30. "I've been playing poorly on the Troppo Tour. It is mostly one-round Pro Ams and that doesn't suit me. I prefer four-round tournaments so I can work my way into the tournament," Carmichael said.
"I am stoked to get the course record, especially one held by Phil. I had no idea. It was perfect really today. While I only hit 13 greens, I made some really good putts.
"If I can keep hitting it like this I think I can be in contention."
Shilton, troubled this week with a sore neck, said he would gladly put up with the inconvenience if he could play as well for the rest of the tournament.
He made five birdies without blemish late in the day in idyllic conditions.
New Zealand representative Caroline Bon (Northland) and North Harbour teenager Rica Tse lead the women's competition with par 72s.
The women complete a 54-hole contest, while the leading 60 men, plus ties, after today's second round will qualify for the weekend.
- NZPA
