Golf: Kiwi golfers mid-field in Argentina

Caroline Bon. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's young women's golf team are in a tie for 20th after the first round of the Espirito Santo Trophy world teams competition for women in Argentina yesterday.

They had a four-over 148 for the two best counting scores at the Olivos Golf Club with Caroline Bon shooting a one-over 73 and Cecilia Cho a three-over 75, while Lydia Ko shot a non-counting five-over 77.

The United States, the most successful team in the history of the event but without a win in the past decade, have the lead after an eight-under 136.

They have a four-shot buffer over hosts Argentina and France, with Germany, Taiwan, South Africa and Spain a further two shots back.

Mexico are alone in eighth place on one-under to complete the teams under par on the demanding Olivos and Buenos Aires golf courses.

"It was not the start we were looking for," team captain Libby Steele said. "It was a tough test of the golf and the girls hit the ball quite solidly. But some key mistakes late in the round proved costly and cost us a more competitive position.

"They are disappointed but it will really make them more determined tomorrow. There's a long way to go yet and we have set our sights on improving every round from here."

The side's most experienced player, Bon (Northland), was two-over after 10 holes, but back-to-back birdies had her back in the hunt before a dropped shot at the 15th in her one-over 73.

The 15-year-old Cho (Auckland) started well to be one-under through the turn before dropping three shots in four holes, picking up a birdie at the 15th but a double bogey six at the 16th spoiled her round.

Ko (North Harbour), at 13 the second-youngest player in the record field of 53 nations, started with a birdie before three straight bogeys had her on the back foot, with a further bogey at the 11th and double bogey at the challenging 16th.

The Americans were all in outstanding form yesterday with all four players firing in red figures including Cydney Clantor and Jessica Korda, who both shot four-under 68s to trail France's Alexandra Bonetti by one shot in the individual honours.

- NZPA