Golf: Heat takes toll in five-hour cup marathon

New Zealand are in fifth place, eight shots off the lead, after the first round of the Queen Sirikit Cup women's international in Malaysia yesterday.

The New Zealanders shot an even-par 144 for the best two counting scores after a promising start was scorched by the heat and high humidity at the A'Famosa Resort course.

Taupo's Tina Howard led the New Zealanders with a one-under 71, Rotorua's Brenda Ormsby had a 73 and North Harbour's Anita Boon a non-counting 76.

Korea lead on eight-under 136 after a six-under 66 from Hyun Hee Moon.

Chinese Taipei are on 139, Australia 140, Japan 142 and New Zealand 144 to head the 12 competing nations in the 54-hole Asia Pacific teams championship.

"We are satisfied, if a little disappointed, with the start," coach Geoff Smart said last night.

"We are still in contention. There can be some big swings in this type of competition and if we can improve tomorrow, then we will be in the hunt going into the final day."

Howard started strongly, going to three under before a bogey-bogey finish spoiled an outstanding round.

Boon was two-under at the turn until two wayward drives led to double bogeys at the 10th and 18th.

Ormsby did not find the hot form of recent times. She dropped two shots on the outward nine, with back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 tarnished by a closing bogey.

"The heat got to them in the end. We found it difficult to hold our concentration," Smart said.

Things were not helped by a slow five-hour round for the team.

It will not be any better today because New Zealand will start last.

"It's in the high 30s and the humidity is extremely high. We are as prepared as we can be to cope with the conditions," Smart said.

The team had brought supplement drinks and had sought advice on hydration and nutrition.

"We have also used the silver shield umbrellas that help to shield the direct sun. They have certainly helped."

Smart said they were delighted with the course.

"It is quite challenging with lots of drop-offs and mounds, and even some boulders on the second nine."

The team are keen to improve on their form of the past two years - a fifth in Hong Kong last year and a ninth in Taiwan in 2000 their worst since joining the competition in 1984.

New Zealand have won the title three times - in Australia (1984), Hong Kong (1989) and as hosts at Paraparaumu Beach in 1999.

Australia are seeking three wins in a row, a feat they also achieved from 1981 to 1983.

Only four nations have won the title - Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.

- NZPA