Golf: NZ make solid start in world champs

New Zealand golfers made a solid start in the women's world amateur teams championship in South Africa this morning (NZ time).

The team is currently tied for 12th in this 48-nation Espirito Santo Trophy on two-over-par 146 at Stellenbosch Golf Club.

Teenagers Sharon Ahn (North Harbour) and Natasha Krishna (Auckland) both shot one-over 73, with Wellington's Sarah Nicholson firing the non-counting four-over 76.

Japan, bolstered by a seven-under par 65 by Rikako Morita, shot a five-under par 137. They have a two-shot lead over defending champions Sweden, Queen Sirikit winners Taiwan and hosts South Africa. Germany are two shot further back in fifth place, Canada sixth on two-under, Australia seventh on one-under -- a shot ahead of favourites the United States on even-par 144 for the two best counting scores.

The New Zealanders said today's performance rated a pass mark but they know they can do better.

They were one-under par after 16 holes but Ahn and Krishna made four bogeys between them over the closing two holes.

Coach Shelley Duncan said it was better than their first round at the previous championships in Puerto Rico in 2004 when they were 22nd and they went on to finish ninth.

"We would have been in sixth place if we had not dropped any shots in the last two holes. Overall it is a steady and reasonable start," she said.

"They did not get a lot going for them today but they fought pretty well. They were around par the whole day until the last two holes and we are definitely looking forward to improving on that tomorrow. The girls are quite confident about their game."

Ahn, 15, missed eight fairways today but recovered well and hit the ball close when she had the opportunity. She was two-under par after 14 holes but three dropped shots in the final four holes proved costly.

Krishna, 18, arrived late in South Africa and with clubs and bags missing, which meant she had limited preparation. However, the US-based golfer played solidly today to be all square after 15 holes with three birdies and three dropped shots until she bogeyed the 17th.

Nicholson, 21, the team leader, struggled a little tee-to-green with an opening birdie mixed with five bogeys, three of them in the last six holes.

"Sarah is not far away from hitting it very well and had no luck. She is likely to shoot low tomorrow," Duncan said.

New Zealand are second group off tomorrow behind the Australians at the De Zalze Golf Club and are paired with Austria and Iceland.

SCORES

First round scores at the Stellenbosch and De Zalze Goof Clubs (both par 72, + denotes non-counting score):

137: Japan

139: Sweden, South Africa, Chinese Taipei

141: Germany

142: Canada

143: Australia

144: USA

145: Korea, Spain, England

146: France, NEW ZEALAND (S NICHOLSON 76+, S AHN 73 N KRISHNA 73)

147: Colombia

148: Italy

149: Czech Republic

150: Russia, Wales, Chile, Venezuela

Leading individuals:

65 Rikako Morita (Japan)

66 Pei-lin Yu (Chinese Taipei)

68 Anna Nordqvist (Sweden)

69 Emma Bennett (Australia)

69 Sandra Gal (Germany), Ashleigh Simon (South Africa)

- NZPA