Woods shares New Zealand lead
Australia's Craig Parry is one of three players tied for first
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Thursday, 29, Nov 2007 09:02
England's Matthew Woods has earned a share of the lead at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown after the first round.
The 32-year-old, who is playing in his first European Tour event, shot an impressive four-under-par round of 68 to join Australians Craig Parry and Paul Sheehan at the top of the leaderboard.
Woods began the round with two consecutive birdies, although he suffered his first setback with a bogey at the tricky par-three fourth hole.
However three more birdies at the ninth, tenth and 17th holes ensured he goes into day two well in contention.
A group of ten players, eight Australians and two New Zealanders, are tied for fourth on three under par.
England's Oliver Fisher, Wales' Jamie Donaldson and Scotland's Peter Whiteford are part of a further ten-man group on two under par.
The highest-rated player in the tournament, Sweden's Daniel Chopra who is currently number seven in the European Order of Merit, is also part of that group.
Veteran New Zealander Michael Campbell endured a difficult day, carding four bogeys and three birdies as he managed only a one-over-par 73 to lie five shots off the lead after the first round.