Golf: Lee continues hot run of form

Richard Lee. Photo / Dean Purcell.

North Harbour professional Richard Lee has backed up his best finish on the Japan Golf Tour from last week with a three-under 68 in round one of the Tsuruya Open to be in a share of eighth place yesterday.

Lee, who finished 26th last week at the Token Homemate Cup, is six shots back from Japan golf legend Shingo Katayama who carded a nine-under 62. The 38-year-old Lee made five birdies and two bogeys in his first round.

David Smail, a five-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, has bounced back with a two-under 69 to be one shot back from Lee in a share of 18th place.

Smail, who finished in a share of 63rd last week in the season opening event, made three birdies and a bogey.

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee has made a slow start to the Valero Texas Open.

The former US amateur champion carded a three-over 75 to be tied 96th and 12 shots back from American Matt Every (63).

Lee began poorly with three dropped shots in his opening five holes and fought back well with birdies at the sixth and 14th punctuated by another bogey at the ninth.

He finished with a bogey at the 18th to cap off a disappointing round.

The 21-year-old, who is 161st on the Fed Ex Cup Standings, has had an up and down start to his year on the game's most lucrative tour.

He has made four cuts from eight events, withdrawing with injury in his ninth, and his best result remains his tie for 25th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-am.

Wellington professional Gareth Paddison has shot a four-under 68 at the China Open on the European Tour to be in a share of 15th place after round one.

Paddison made a hot start with birdies in his opening three holes at the Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin.

He added further birdies on the sixth and 12th before dropping a shot at the 14th.

Also making a solid start was North Harbour professional 32-year-old Michael Hendry.