Ko (Knock Out), leads first round in Charles Tour event #3

The first round of the 3^rd Charles Tour event, Port of Taranaki Open, has come to a close after a windy day on the Ngamotu Links, in New Plymouth, today. Institute of Golf is represented well again with 5 of its Elite Players battling the field on the par 72 layout.

Lydia Ko and Mike Hendry both shot rounds of -2 to lead the igolf players, Hendry a further 3 shots back of overnight leader Brendan Stuart and Richard Lee. Lydia Ko has a 3 shot lead over nearest rival in the Female field, and also leads the amateur field by a shot.

igolf's Lydia Ko, Hitting a tee shot

Hendry, who leads the NZPGA order of merit this year, needs a solid finish to assure himself top spot at the end of the calendar year, while Stuart and Lee, are looking to knock him off the top near the end of the years tournaments.

Kevin Budden, another of igolfs elite, shot a solid round of +1 in the windy conditions, to be a couple of shots back in the amateur male field, but 6 shots of the leaders.

2^nd round will be played tomorrow, look for updates on the Institute of Golf website.