Golf: Bon starts well in Spain

Caroline Bon. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland professional Caroline Bon has made a solid start in round one of pre-qualifying for the Ladies European Tour in 2012.

The Kiwi, in her second year as a professional, is in a six-way share of third place after a one under par 72 at the La Manga South Course in Spain.

Chrisje De Vries (Netherlands) and Anna Scott (England) lead the tournament after rounds of four under par 69.

Bon was in great shape at three under through 12 holes but faltered with a bogey on the 14th and a double bogey on 16 before she finished with a birdie on 18.

The second round of the tournament is played on the La Manga North Course tonight with the top 35 and ties after four rounds progressing to the final qualification for the LET.

Waikato amateur Emily Perry has continued her good form from 2011 into the New Year when she finished in a share of 22nd place at the professional event the Victorian Open.

For the first time the Women's Victorian Open was played simultaneously with the Men's Victorian Open at Spring Valley Golf Club with Frenchwoman Joanna Klatton claiming the title in a playoff over Haeji Kang when the pair carded an 8-under par 212.

Perry, playing in her first professional tournament overseas, shot rounds of 76, 80 and 73 to finish on a nine over par total to be the leading Kiwi and third placed amateur at the event.

New Zealand professional Cathryn Bristow was two shots back after scores of 81, 76 and 73 while the big hitting Phillis Meti had rounds of 78, 80 and 83 to be 21 over for the tournament.