Golf: Big-hitting Bowditch eats up Clearwater

Steven Bowditch gets out of bed on Thursday feeling good, belts the ball out of sight and takes the first-round tournament lead.

For three weeks in a row the 21-year-old Aussie has followed that pattern. Two weeks ago he had a bad third round and slipped out of contention in the New Zealand Open at Gulf Harbour. But last week he led from start to finish to win the Jacob's Creek Open by five shots.

Yesterday in perfect conditions at Clearwater, Bowditch shot a bogey-free eight-under 64 to lead the ING-sponsored NZPGA tournament by two shots.

Joint second are Christchurch professional Tony Christie, Canadian Jon Mills, American Brent Schwarzrock, former winner Peter O'Malley, who birdied the last three holes, and another Australian, Darren Beck.

Last year Bowditch returned from Europe disillusioned with the game, running out of restaurants he could return to as his money ran out and his game fell apart. Back home he played the pro-am circuit, sharing a tent with his girlfriend to cut costs. But a couple of good results before Christmas and last week's win at Adelaide have revived his confidence in his big-hitting, high-risk game.

His big driver belts the ball amazing distances in the air with almost no run and he has sharpened up his wedge game to take advantage of the positions he reaches.

"I woke up this morning and I was ready to play," said Bowditch. "I got in a really nice rhythm and the greens are perfect out there. For the last 12 or 13 holes I can't remember a day easier."

Christie, now 35 and 11 years a pro, was the enfant terrible of Canterbury golf in his amateur days. Clearwater is his home course and he enjoyed the company of former New Zealand cricketer Lance Cairns as his caddie.

He got to seven under with a tap-in birdie on the 17th but his pitching wedge to the last plugged in a bunker and he dropped a shot.

Of the other New Zealanders David Smail birdied his last hole for a three-under 69, Peter Smith from Wanaka shot 70, Steve Alker 71 and Grant Waite 72.