Golf: Former champ Shilton away with the birdies

By BOB PEARCE in Taupo

Waikato golfer Brad Shilton, winner of the national strokeplay title two years ago, set the pace in the first round of this year's event at the Taupo Golf Club yesterday.

The Te Awamutu player, a member of New Zealand's last Eisenhower Trophy team, shot a four-under 68, one shot clear of Titirangi teenager Kevin Chun and Taihape's Hamish Robertson.

On 70 are Jim Cusdin (Hamilton), Bay of Plenty team-mates Jason McIntosh (Taupo) and Mark Smith (Springfield), and Australian Andrew McKenzie.

Shilton, who finished in near-darkness at the end of the field, bogeyed the first hole but then had four birdies in a row.

A lost ball on the 13th cost two shots, but he had three more birdies.

Chun, who won the Tasmanian amateur title recently, double-bogeyed the first hole, driving out of bounds. But he had an eagle on the 370m par-four 15th, holing from 100m with a pitching wedge.

He had five birdies and two bogeys, playing in a slight breeze but otherwise perfect conditions.

Robertson, aged 23, was the beaten finalist in the matchplay championship at Chisholm Park, Dunedin, last year, losing to Aussie James Nitties 3 and 2. Yesterday he was three over the card after seven holes, but had three twos in five holes, including an eagle on the par-four 250m 17th, where he drove the green.

The field of 160 will play another 18 holes today before there is a cut to 72 and ties, who will play 18 holes tomorrow and Thursday.

A total of the 32 players will start the matchplay on Friday, with the 36-hole final on Sunday.