Golf: Tataurangi hangs in after a bizarre 67

New Zealander Phil Tataurangi had a bizarre first round in the Kemper Open yesterday, but still carded a 67.

Eight others matched his score, but none could equal his eccentric play.

He made only four pars in a round which featured a five-under 30 for his first nine holes. In all, he carded eight birdies and one eagle, four bogeys and one double bogey.

American Franklin Langham, 34, dominated the opening round, firing an eight-under 63 to take a two-shot lead over compatriot Bob Estes.

Three shots behind him is a group of five players, made up of world No 10 Chris DiMarco, the 1998 British Open runner-up Brian Watts, Jay Williamson, Willie Wood and Brian Gay.

Langham's effort yesterday was a bogey-free affair with eight birdies and it matched the course record set by seven players since Ted Schulz first did it in 1991.

Langham is playing in only his seventh tournament this year, in which he has made only two cuts and earned $US85,440 ($177,240).

New Zealanders Grant Waite and Michael Long shot 72 and 73 respectively.

* Lynnette Brooky stormed to the first-round lead in the Caja Duero Open de Espana tournament at Campo in Spain yesterday.

She carded an aggressive six-under 66 to earn a two-shot lead over Spanish amateurs Tania Elosegui and Emma Cabrera.

The other New Zealanders had mixed rounds, with Gina Scott remaining in contention after shooting 72.

However, Catherine Knight was left requiring a minor miracle to make the second-round cut, after opening with an 81.

- AGENCIES