Golf: O’Connell sizzles in NZ Strokeplay Champs

Auckland golfer Travis O'Connell fired a stunning eight-under-par 64 to lead after the opening round of the New Zealand Strokeplay Championship at Palmerston North today.

The 20-year-old fired nine birdies in his last 14 holes in idyllic conditions at the Manawatu Golf Club to hold a one shot advantage over Australian Adam Porker, who led the morning field with a seven-under 65.

O'Connell offered some local opposition to the early Australian onslaught with five visitors from across the Tasman in the top-10 after the first round.

Players took full advantage of the pristine greens and still conditions with 57 players shooting par of better today.

Australians Michael Sim and Justin Maker share third place with well-performed Auckland player Franz Schwanner on five-under par 67, a shot ahead of Kurt Carlson and North Harbour's Adam Preston.

There are eight players in a share of eighth place on three-under par 69 including New Zealand representative Mark Purser from Hamilton and three more Australians, Mitchell Brown, Marc Leishman and Andrew Dodt.

Super-talented 15-year-old North Harbour junior international Sam Shin is included in the group on 69.

North Island champion Brad Iles is a shot further back on two-under par 70 along with fellow New Zealand representatives James Gill and Riki Kauika, who won the foursomes title with Andrew Henare yesterday.

O'Connell, who admits his fiery behaviour has cost him selection in the Auckland provincial team in the past, is no stranger to producing in the big time.

He was on the leaderboard with an opening two-under 70 at the Australian Open in December, after Monday qualifying, only to shoot 80 in the second round and miss the cut by one.

"I wasn't bothered it was such an experience. I didn't expect to make it in and was just stoked to be there," O'Connell said.

There is a further round tomorrow with the leading 72 players plus ties qualifying for the final two rounds.

The leading 32 players from the strokeplay championships will compete for the New Zealand Amateur Championships, decided with a 36 hole final on Sunday.

- NZPA