Golf: Fox starts well in Fiji

Ryan Fox

Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox has made a solid start to the Fiji International on the PGA Tour of Australasia and is in a share of ninth place near the end of the opening round.

The Aucklander struck a three-under 69 at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course today and was among a logjam of 10 players who are one stroke off the lead.

It's a congested leaderboard given eight players held a share of first at four-under, including former New Zealand Open champion Jake Higginbottom (Australia). There were a handful of players yet to finish their round as of 6pm (NZT).

Michael Hendry was the next best of the Kiwis at one-under in a share of 32nd at the US$1 million (NZD$1,180,762) tournament, while Josh Geary shot an even-par 72 and is in a tie for 39th.

Former major winners Nick Price (Zimbabwe) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) are also in the field and are in a share of 53rd place at one-over, alongside Kiwis Gareth Paddison and David Klein.

Of the other Kiwis in the field, Richard Lee (two-over, tied for 68th), Mark Brown (three-over, tied for 80th), Michael Long and David Smail (four-over, tied for 91st) all have a chance of making the cut providing they can produce a good second round tomorrow.

Otago's Mahal Pearce shot a disappointing seven-over 79 to be in a share of 112th place, while Nick Gillespie carded an eight-over 80 and both players would need a significant change in fortunes if they wanted to be involved in the weekend.