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MEXICO CITY - New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson was just three shots off the lead after the opening round of the Mayakoba Classic PGA golf tournament in Mexico today.
Wilkinson shot six birdies and three bogeys at the El Camaleon resort course on the Riviera Maya to card
a three-under 67 and sit in an 11-way tie for ninth place.
The Palmerston North left-hander topped the field for driving accuracy today at 93 per cent, helping finish with three birdies over the closing six holes.
He was three shots behind American leader John Merrick, who rolled in a 50-foot birdie putt on his final hole to grab a one-stroke lead.
The 25-year-old shrugged off gusting winds and occasional rain to shoot a flawless six-under-par 64.
Former Masters champion Larry Mize also signed off with a birdie, an opening 65 leaving him joint second with fellow-American Robert Damron, Briton Kenneth Ferrie and PGA Tour rookie David Lutterus of Australia.
New Zealand's other entrant, Phil Tataurangi, was in 78th place after shooting 71.
Merrick, playing his fifth Tour event of the year, felt he could have gone lower despite the testing conditions.
"I hit a lot of greens and a lot of good shots and even missed some more potential birdies today," the Californian said.
"It was just a great day, one of those days where everything kind of went your way. It was fun.
"I played here last year and actually shot 64 in the opening round, so it's kind of funny how it worked out today.
"It was very windy out there. With some shots, you needed two extra clubs to try to flight it down under the wind. It was tough."
Double major winner John Daly opened with a 66 and former world No 1s Nick Price of Zimbabwe and Australia's Greg Norman fired matching 70s.
American Fred Funk, who became the fifth oldest winner in PGA Tour history with a playoff victory here over Argentina's Jose Coceres last year, launched his title defence with a 73.
With the game's leading 64 players competing in this week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain's Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Arizona, Funk and company have a freer hand.
- REUTERS/NZPA