Golf: Kiwis up with the leaders

Mahal Pearce of New Zealand plays a shot out of the rough during day one of the 2011 Australian Masters. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Mahal Pearce is two shots off the pace after the first round of the Australian Masters in Melbourne today.

The 2003 New Zealand Open champion shot a four-under 67 to sit in a tie for third place.

Pearce had the best possible start with an eagle on the first hole and finished strong with two birdies in his final four holes.

LEADERBOARD

World number 28 Ian Poulter is the clubhouse leader at six-under after firing 65, one shot ahead of Australia's Ashley Hall. The Englishman finished with seven birdies and a bogey in his round.

Hall went out in a 29 through the opening nine holes and got to eight-under after 13 holes before dropping three shots late in his round.

New Zealand's Gareth Paddison and Phil Tataurangi are also in the mix. The pair sit at two-under in a share for ninth place along with world number one Luke Donald. David Smail is a further shot back after shooting a one-under 70.

Former US Open winner Michael Campbell is in a tie for 46th after a one-over 72.

- HERALD ONLINE