Golf: Three way lead at Charles Tour event

Mark Brown. Photo / Ross Setford.

Mark Brown, Grant Moorhead and Joshua Carmichael showed the value of experience in blustery southeasterly winds to share the round one lead at the Taranaki Energy Open at the New Plymouth Golf Club today.

Brown, the 2006 champion who enjoyed a hole in one on the ninth hole yesterday in the pro-am, began slowly making the turn in even par before he played the tougher back nine in five under in the gusting wind to card a five under par 67.

That number was matched by seasoned veteran Moorhead, the former Ngamotu professional, who gave locals plenty of reason to cheer this afternoon with three birdies in the final three holes to share the clubhouse lead.

The defending champion Carmichael eagled the 18th to make it a three-way tie for the round-one lead at five under par on an exciting day in the opening Charles Tour event for 2012. Steven Han and Auckland amateur Jonathon Ratcliffe share fourth place after rounds of three under par 69.

But the talking point was Brown in the toughest conditions. He was happy with his fast start as he returns to a course that he has had a lot of success.

"It was a good start," said the 36-year-old, who is former winner of the NZ PGA Order of Merit. "We probably got the best of the weather. It wasn't too windy early on but it picked up on the back nine and that is where I did most of my scoring and played my best."

Brown had a hot stretch after the turn where he made three birdies in succession on 10, 11 and 12. He backed up that with two further birdies on 14 and 15.

"It was a good, wee stretch. I obviously left a few out there, like everyone would say. I missed three short birdie putts all from within six feet, so I was frustrated early on but I hung in there and had that good patch."

Brown, who finished in a share of second at the recent New Zealand PGA Pro-Am, is revitalised by his turnaround in form and confidence.

"The game is consistent, touch wood, and that is down to the work I have been doing with Mal [Tongue] and the work I have been doing physically, doing the same things every day and in that respect I am turning up most days and the body feels the same and the swing quite consistent."

Moorhead, who has rededicated himself to life as a tour professional, was happy to make a good start to the tournament he'd like to win more than any other in New Zealand. He admitted being the local favourite is like a double-edged sword.

"I am making some really great putts and that is the difference," said the former Eisenhower winner. "I am trying to get over the ones that miss quickly and really commit to the chances that I have for birdie and it seems to be working.

"There are certainly two sides to it [the local pressure]. Obviously I know this course really well and would absolutely love to win here but I am trying to take that pressure off myself this year. I think the bigger plan of getting back into tournament golf is helping. I am excited about the weekend and to be in contention is great.

"I have shot myself in the foot in previous years because I was pushing too hard but I was really happy with my start it was solid and I'll look to build from here."

There was also a three way tie for the lead in the women's championship. New Zealand stroke play champion Emily Perry had a slow start with a four over par 76 in round one to share the lead with Celeste McLean (Manaia) and 12- year-old Tyla Kingi (Opotiki).