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.
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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.
