Golf: Turner on song at PGA

SYDNEY - New Zealand's Greg Turner celebrated the birth of his second child by firing himself into a tie for fourth place after the first round of the $A300,000 ($380,180) Australian PGA Championship in Melbourne yesterday.

Turner is making his debut at the Victoria Golf Club but found unfamiliarity was no obstacle as he carded a four-under 68 in the still morning conditions.

Winds picked up considerably late in the day which made it a effort from leaders George Serhand of New South Wales and Victorians Richard Green and David Hill on five-under.

Turner is tied with Western Australian Kim Felton, while the next-placed New Zealanders are Elliot Boult, Paul Devenport and Tony Christie - two shots further back on 70.

For Turner it was his first round of tournament golf since ending a successful European season in October and his first since wife Jane gave birth to Jack 10 days earlier.

He revealed he would have crossed the Tasman to play in the Australian Open and Players Championship over the last fortnight but had to delay his departure as Jack was "a little late on the scene".

The 36-year-old seems on course to continue his love-affair with Melbourne courses.

"I've had a good run - The Johnnie Walker Classic in 1990, the Presidents Cup last year and third in the Masters last February.''

Ranked No 83 in the world, Turner is second favourite for the tournament behind 41st-ranked New South Welshman Craig Parry, who shot 71.

Other New Zealanders on or under par yesterday were David Smail (71), Grant Moorhead and Matthew Lane (both 72).

- NZPA