Golf: Kiwi golfer sails close behind storming Spaniard

SYDNEY - New Zealand's Steve Alker was back to his consistent best while Spanish golf star Sergio Garcia blew into the lead during the first round of the $A2 million ($2.47 million) Greg Norman International in Sydney yesterday.

Garcia, nicknamed El Nino, ironically benefited from having the calmest conditions at The Lakes course and responded with an excellent nine-under 64, his best score in an exciting two-year professional career.

The 21-year-old was a shot clear of Swede Pierre Fulke while Alker was in a group of four in a tie for third on 66.

The top of the leaderboard was dominated by golfers who teed-off in the morning when winds were minimal. It resulted in some of the lowest scoring seen on the water-laden course. Even tournament owner Greg Norman came to the party with a 66.

But as the changeable southerly increased, scores suffered.

One of those was Michael Campbell, fresh from defending his Heineken Classic title in Perth last weekend. It seemed a long time ago as he struggled with his putter to a one-over 74.

After birdies on the first two holes, Campbell reached the eighth at one-under before carding bogeys on the ninth, 12th and 13th holes.

He missed the cut here last year, the only blot on a stellar season, but was confident an early start today would ensure history did not repeat.

Alker had a consistent Australasian PGA Tour before Christmas to cap a year which saw him top the Canadian Tour Order of Merit.

And he began 2001 in style with second place at the New Zealand Open.

But illness has blighted his form over the past fortnight. He and partner Tania, also his caddie, were dogged by food poisoning on their way to 121st place in Perth last week.

"I was feeling good today and the score just goes to show how important that is," said Alker, who had the bonus of an early start.

"I got off to a solid beginning, made a few putts and didn't drop a shot all day which was a bonus. It's brought the confidence back because I haven't had a happy time the last two weeks."

The other two New Zealanders to tee off in the morning unsurprisingly had the next-best scores. Greg Turner was four-under and Michael Long two-under.

In-form David Smail battled the afternoon winds to match Long with a 71.

It is only the second taste of Australia for Garcia, who was third at the Australian Masters in Melbourne last year and will return there next week.

"I guess I was lucky it wasn't windy," he said. "I felt very comfortable on the whole course. I was working the ball pretty well and I putted well. It is important to start with a round like this."

At the other end, unfortunate Australian Gary Simpson recorded a score of eight-over. He dropped all eight shots on the harmless par-five 11th hole where a nightmarish mix of water and tree trouble saw him card a rare 13.

- NZPA