Golf: Leader makes most of weather

Christchurch professional Ryan Haywood made the most of his early start yesterday to get a break on the field in the opening round of the Taranaki Open.

Haywood fired a four-under 68 to lead by one shot from Manawatu's pre-tournament favourite Tim Wilkinson.

But as the wind strengthened and the rain came in mid-afternoon scores began to soar, with more totals in the 80s than the 70s at the Ngamotu course.

Haywood, who was born in Melbourne and moved to New Zealand just over two years ago, fired six birdies, including four in a row from the 15th to the 18th.


He had a chance late in his round to go to six under, but a three-putt on the par-five hole saw him drop a shot.

"If you drive the ball straight, this is a course you can score well on," he said.

Haywood made short work of two of the par-fives to set up birdies, using a five-iron for his second on the seventh and an eight on the 18th.

It's been a rapid rise through the professional ranks for Haywood, who left the amateur ranks last November, gaining his Australasian tour card after representing Canterbury at No 1 for two years.


Wilkinson, another starter before the wind picked up, scored four birdies and one bogey.

Nic Davey, a Rotorua-based professional on the Canadian tour, is in third place with a two-under 70 that included two birdies, two bogeys and a closing eagle on the par-five 18th.

Davey is one ahead of young Waikato professional Scott Pickett, who had to battle the tough afternoon conditions.

Four players finished on 72 - Waikato professional Glenn Millen and amateurs Guy Penrose, of Cambridge, Hamish Robertson, of Taihape, and Jim Cusdin, of Hamilton.


The field of 144 will be cut to 90 after today's second round.


- NZPA