Steven Alker has a share of the lead after one round in Morocco. Photo / Getty Images
Steven Alker has a share of the lead after one round in Morocco. Photo / Getty Images
Friday morning was a taste of what Kiwi golf fans can look forward to this year.
Across the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, LIV Golf and DP World Tour, seven New Zealand representatives were plying their trade on top golf tours – with varying degrees of success.
It was Steven Alker who flew the New Zealand flag highest as he shared the lead with England’s Simon Griffiths after one round at the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Morocco.
The defending PGA Tour Champions title-holder carded a four-under 69 that had him at one over through nine holes, before five birdies on the back nine shot him up the leaderboard and into a share of the lead, one shot ahead of a seven-way tie for third.
Ben Campbell best impressed for the tour debutants in his first start for Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats on LIV Golf in Saudi Arabia under the lights at Riyadh Golf Club.
The Queenstown resident carded a bogey-free four-under 67 to sit in a nine-way tie for 15th in his first tournament since joining the tour fulltime, six shots behind leader Adrian Meronk.
Also making her debut start as a full member on tour, the country’s latest addition to the LPGA Tour, Fiona Xu, shot a one-under 70 to sit tied for 36th after one round at the Founders Cup at Bradenton Country Club in Florida.
Fiona Xu remained steady in Florida. Photo / Getty Images
Xu, 19, impressed during her first round, carding two birdies and a solitary bogey and is only five shots back from leader Jennifer Kupcho.
Meanwhile, Dame Lydia Ko had a round to forget at the same event, carding a three-over 74 that featured two double bogeys, two bogeys and two birdies – leaving her tied for 99th and with serious work to do to avoid missing the cut.
Ryan Fox, too, has work ahead if he is to make his way up the leaderboard at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The world No 93 managed to recover from a par-bogey start to sit one under through nine holes, only to earn punishment on the back nine with three bogeys and one birdie, to end up with a one-over 72 to sit tied for 81st, eight shots back of leader Wyndham Clark.
Five players shot a five-under 66, including American Justin Thomas, to lead the Phoenix Open after one round.
On the DP World Tour, Kiwis Dan Hillier and Kazuma Kobori find themselves behind the chasing pack at the Qatar Masters. Hillier shot a one-under 71 to sit tied for 43rd, while Kobori fought for his one-over 73, which has him placed in a tie for 71st.
Play in Qatar was suspended early due to darkness and several golfers are still to complete their first round. The second round will begin as scheduled, with those yet to finish their first in for a long day in the heat.
Will Toogood is an online sports editor and golf reporter for the NZ Herald. He enjoys watching people chase a ball around on a grass surface so much he decided to make a living out of it.
