Golf: Kiwis off to solid start in Fiji

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New Zealand golfers made a solid start to the Nomura Cup in Fiji, managing a combined five under total to lie third, four shots off leaders Australia after round one at Denarau Golf Club.

New Zealand No 1 Ryan Fox came home strongly with an eagle and a birdie in his final two holes to card a two under 70.

New Zealand amateur champion Mathew Perry was also two under for his round. The rookies - Sam An (Titirangi) and Vaughan McCall (Gore) - carded rounds of one under 71.

The last and only time New Zealand won the Nomura Cup was in 1995 when the Russley Golf Club in Christchurch hosted the event.

Australia, who have won five of the past six titles, combined superbly led by Cameron Smith (67), Jake Higginbottom (67) and Daniel Bringolf (71) for a nine under total to lead by one shot from India.

Rounds two and three will be played at Natadola Golf Club in Natadola Bay, with the final round back at Denarau.

New Zealand Golf talent and coach development manager Gregg Thorpe said the team was optimistic after a solid, if not spectacular, start.

"They each showed composure along with the necessary determination and mixed some flashy moments in amongst some good old-fashioned gritty play," he said.

"While they may not have played out of their skins, they did manage to get the most from their rounds, which was encouraging."

Fourteen countries are contesting the Nomura Cup, a biennial tournament designed to develop golf within the Asia Pacific region.

- NZPA