10 Mar 2017

Campbell on top at NZ Open

6:46 am on 10 March 2017

Masterton golfer Ben Campbell has finished round one of the New Zealand Open on top after a scintilating back nine at the Millbrook Golf Course in Arrowtown.

The Masterton golfer Ben Campbell

The Masterton golfer Ben Campbell Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Campbell carded a 10-under 61 thanks to a blistering eight under 28 on the final nine holes.

The 25-year-old, who's now based in Queenstown, has a two shot lead over 2014 New Zealand Open champion Dimitrios Papadatos from New South Wales.

Fellow Australians Scott Barr, Deyen Lawson and Brad Kennedy are a further shot back at seven under alongside New Zealand professional Michael Hendry.

Rookie Waikato professional Luke Toomey had a round to remember at the Hills Golf Course, he shot a six under 66 to sit in a tie for seventh after round one.

New Zealand's top ranked golfer Ryan Fox is in a tie for 28th at four under.

-RNZ