Golf: Steady start for kiwis

New Zealand golfers made a steady start to The Spirit International tournament in Texas yesterday.

The men's combination of Taranaki Open winner Doug Holloway and Richard Wright in a share of 19th place after the first round, while Sarah Nicholson and Sharon are 17th in the unique combined men's and women's tournament at the Whispering Pines course.

Holloway and Wright fired a one-under par 71 in their first round to be seven shots behind joint leaders Canada, Italy and South Africa who were led by George Coetzee who fired eight birdies in his round.

Nicholson was in superb form with four birdies for the women who closed with a one-over 73 in the combined competition to be eight shots behind leaders England, with a shot back to Australia and Sweden.

New Zealand are 19th in the combined stakes on even par 144, with the first round led held by South Africa at 13-under and two shots to Australia and England.

- NZPA