Golf: Harbour pro in front

Josh Carmichael hit six birdies and an eagle in a superb round of 65 at the Ngamotu links course. File picture

North Harbour professional golfer Josh Carmichael fired a seven-under 65 to grab a two-stroke lead in the opening round of the $40,000 Taranaki Open in New Plymouth yesterday.

Carmichael made six birdies and an eagle in a superb round in ideal conditions at the Ngamotu links course.

The tournament is part of Golf Tour New Zealand, an initiative by former professional Greg Turner which brings together a mixed field of young professionals and leading amateurs.

Carmichael had a two-shot advantage over New Plymouth's professional Grant Moorhead.

Another stroke back were North Harbour's Steve Gordon and the leading amateur, Josh Geary, of Mt Maunganui.

On 69 were Hawkes Bay amateur Doug Holloway and professionals Guy Penrose and Scott Pickett.

Geary fired seven birdies in his 68, while Penrose was a mixture, being one-over after 12 holes before posting birdies on five of the closing six holes for his 69.

Moorhead, who won the Fiji PGA title, was impressive in shooting 67 as he builds for next month's PGA Tour qualifying school in the US.

The leading woman was New Zealand amateur representative Natasha Krishna, of Auckland, who eagled the par-five 18th hole for an even par 72.

- NZPA