Golf: Golfers slide back in Espirito Santo

New Zealand found no favours on the greens as they slipped to 12th after 36 holes of the Espirito Santo world women's team golf championships in Berlin, yesterday.

They lie seven shots from leaders France with a two-round total of 298, 10-over par on the demanding links course at the Sporting Club of Berlin.

The New Zealanders remained confident, with all three players, Brenda Ormsby, Debbie Smith and Tina Howard hitting the ball well, but had no fortune on the greens.

Ormsby, who is tied in eighth place on the individual standings, followed her first-round 70 with a four over par 76, the same as Smith, with Howard posting a non-counting 79.

"We are still very confident because all three players are hitting the ball well," team captain Anna Brabyn said.

"This is an exceptionally tough course and you are punished for mistakes.

"We actually hit the ball well but the greens are very tricky.

"There's a lot of slope, and they are quite slow.

"Today Debbie hit 14 greens in regulation and Brenda 15 greens but neither could make a putt," she said.

The team started strongly, with all three players under par after four holes.

Smith led the way with birdies at the first and fourth.

Smith, making a return to the international scene after a break of 13 years, dropped shots on the seventh and eighth with a double bogey at nine to turn with a two-over 38, and dropped two shots coming home for a four-over 76.

Ormsby's early birdie was matched with two bogeys as she made the turn in a one-over 37 but dropped three shots on the homeward nine.

Howard's card was spoiled with five dropped shots in three holes, and two further bogeys before recovering with a birdie on the 17th.

No team went under par on the second day, with strengthening afternoon winds adding to the difficulty of the links course.

France lead with a two-round total of 291, three over par, with Korea retaining a share of second with Brazil a shot behind, and a further shot back to Sweden and Japan.

- NZPA