Golf: Europe gain early advantage

Europe gained the early advantage against Asia Pacific on the first morning of the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy golf tournament in Auckland this mroning.

The European combination were ahead in three matches while Asia Pacific were ahead in one early on the first morning fourball competition at Auckland Golf Club.

The three-day teams contest features 24 of the best amateur golfers in the world from 18 nations.

Experienced Welsh pair Nigel Edwards and Zac Gould were 3-up after nine holes for Europe in the first match, with Antti Ahokus (Finland) and Pedro Oriol (Italy) 1-up over New Zealanders Mark Purser and Josh Geary.

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) and Julien Guerrier (France) were also 1-up.

Asia Pacific held a 1-up advantage in the top match, with Australians Won Joon Lee and Andrew Dodt leading English pair Gary Wolstenholme and Oliver Fisher.

- NZPA