Golf: Happy Anniversary for James who fires a 65

Leighton James further enhanced his position as the best player in Auckland with a course record five-under 65 on the opening day of the 38th Anniversary Championship at Akarana yesterday. James, from The Grange, leads by three shots from Mangawhai's Scott Wightman, with a further shot back to Samuel Shin from Gulf Harbour and Manukau's Andrew Mackie.

Eleven players shot par or better on a benign day enhanced for low scoring by receptive greens which were considerably slower than is usual for this season-opening event.

James, who played number one for Auckland at the national interprovincial in November, had seven birdies in his round but bogeyed two par threes on the front nine. He was especially hot at the start of the second nine, making four birdies in succession from the 10th to the 13th.

Wightman produced the shot of the day on the par-four fourth. His second shot with a wedge carried beyond the hole but rolled down the slope of the two-tiered green into the hole for an eagle. It was one of two eagles he made in his first four holes.

Former New Zealand team player Mark Smith from Springfield in Rotorua started with an eagle and a birdie but faded to finish on 74 to be in a tie for 40th. The 54-hole championship finishes on Monday.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY