Golf: Kuchar focused on survival at Fiji International

Matt Kuchar arrived at the Fiji International after playing at the President's Cup in Korea. Photo / Getty

The location may be magical but there was nothing enchanting about the conditions the players faced in the opening round of the Fiji International yesterday.

The usual challenging breezes at Natadola Bay became severe gales that caused havoc among the star-studded field, led by US PGA stars Vijay Singh and Matt Kuchar.

Kuchar, 37, looked relaxed throughout his round after jetting in from the President's Cup in Korea. The world number 16 had three birdies in his round of two-over 74 and admitted it "was purely about survival out there". He shares second place with four others.

Tauranga's Josh Geary is the first round leader by two shots after he finished strongly with birdies on 15 and 17 for an even par 72. Fresh from winning his third tournament on this year's China Tour, he birdied the fifth and sixth holes to put him on top of the leader board until a double bogey on the par five seventh. But he fought back well in the tough conditions.

"It was a bit of a miracle in the first nine holes as I didn't really hit it that great and missed quite a few greens," Geary said. "But I made some great saves and made some good putts which is unlikely when it is so windy. I hit some good shots when I needed to on the hard holes. All in all it was a pretty hard day so I am happy with 72."

The next best of the 17 Kiwis in the field were Ryan Fox and Mark Brown on four over, with Kieran Muir and Brad Shilton a shot further back.

Course co-designer and Fijian national Singh shot 78, which included a triple bogey on the par-five fifth.

"It was not an easy day but I manged okay except for one hole," Singh said. "I played pretty decent and could have been a few shots better but then again could have been a lot worse. It was just a tough day to play in these conditions. I think I have got my bad round out of the way so will do better tomorrow."

To compensate for the week-long wind issues, the greens had not been cut for three days which at least meant the balls held on the greens. The gusty winds played mind games with the players all day but did cause the comical moment of the day. Kuchar's bogey putt on the second finished short but before he could mark it, the wind blew the ball into the cup.

*Peter White travelled to Fiji thanks to Fiji Airways and PGA Australia.