Perry and Brooky lead NZ challenge

Published on 18/02/2012 00:32

ladies european tour: Home hopefuls Emily Perry and Lynnette Brooky, England’s Kym Laratt and Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten shared a four-way lead after the first round of the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open in Christchurch.

The quartet topped a packed leaderboard after shooting five-under-par rounds of 67. Nine players were a stroke further back, including Southampton’s Elizabeth Bennett, while much talked about 14-year-old amateur Lydia Ko shot a 69.

The teenage New Zealander attracted large galleries but she ended up playing second fiddle to her fellow amateur Perry, who took a late share of the lead.