Geary birdies his way to lead

CHRIS HILLOCK/Waikato Times

HARD DAY: Hamilton's Mark Purser found the going tough at St Andrews yesterday.

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Josh Geary was "rapt" with his opening round effort which gave him a two-shot lead in Hamilton's biggest golf tournament yesterday.

In tough conditions, Geary got hot, especially with his putter, and picked up birdies at 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 to lead the 54-hole Brian Perry Classic from Troy Ropiha and Michael Hendry.

A bogey at 17 pulled his lead back to just a couple, and with 69s Andrew Searle and Andrew Green were a further shot back.

Those five leaders all played at St Andrews yesterday and were to play at Ngaruawahia today before the 66-strong professional field finish at St Andrews tomorrow.

While others struggled – top Hamilton professional Mark Purser is 10 shots behind Geary after shooting 76 at St Andrews – Geary found his groove.

"I'm really happy, I'm rapt with that score," Geary said.

"Especially when the wind got up in the middle."

Geary, now based in Georgia, said while there was still a lot of hard work to do, especially with such a quality field behind him, it was always nice to be in front.

"If you get too far behind after one round it's hard to come back so it's nice to be up there, but there is a lot of golf left," he said.

The Radio Sport amateur team he played with played a big part in keeping him relaxed and helping him shoot low.

"Yeah, they were good fun for sure and it helps you relax and just enjoy yourself."

World No128 David Smail shot an even par 72 at Ngaruawahia yesterday to be 15th equal, but the quick greens stopped anyone shooting in the 60s at the country course.

Playing at St Andrews today, which appears the easier course to shoot low at, Smail was expected to head up the leaderboard.

Of the other Waikato golfers, James Gill, Brad Shilton and Doug Millington were doing the best after day one with two-over par 74s.

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