Golf: Top round puts NZ in fourth spot

New Zealand, led by a superb sub-par round by veteran Brenda Ormsby, grabbed a share of fourth place after the opening round of the Espirito Santo world women's team golf championships in Berlin yesterday.

Ormsby fired a two-under par 70, one of only six players to shoot in red numbers on a rain-soaked course at the Sporting Club of Berlin.

The New Zealand team posted a two-over par 146, with Tina Howard shooting a four-over 76 and Debbie Smith the non-counting nine-over 81.

They were four shots from leaders, Denmark on a two-under 142, Korea on an even-par 144 and Sweden a shot further back in third. The New Zealanders shared fourth with Japan, Italy and France.

Australia were two shots behind New Zealand in a share of 10th place, Taiwan a further two shots adrift, while defending champions the United States were in a tie for 21st, 10 shots behind the leaders.

"We are thrilled with the start. It was an excellent effort, especially by Brenda, who didn't put a foot wrong all day," captain Anna Brabyn said.

"This is very encouraging, and shows if we play consistent and accurate golf, we will get rewards."

The early starters from the 40 participating countries encountered rain to further soak a waterlogged course, although the New Zealanders were greeted with fine, light winds for their afternoon round.

"It proved excellent golf conditions for us although the course is still very wet underfoot and playing very tough," Brabyn said.

"You only have to look at some of the scores from some very good players to realise that if you are offline and end up in this incredible rough, you will be punished." Ormsby, in her sixth Espirito Santo tournament, bagged one birdie to turn at a one-under 35, with two further birdies and a bogey on the way home for her 70.

The current New Zealand strokeplay champion was the third-placed individual after the first round.

Howard managed a birdie and bogey for an even par on the outward nine, before dropping three shots in a row after the turn. The Taupo player, ranked 23rd on the US collegiate standings this year, answered with a birdie only to suffer a double bogey at the 18th after missing the fairway off the tee.

Motueka's Smith, making a return to the international scene after 13 years, countered some problems with the harsh rough, with a birdie, three bogeys and a double for a four-over 40 on the outward nine.

- NZPA