Giulia Sergas blows hot to take lead before winds arrive

Giulia Sergas, of Italy, shot an eight-under-par 64 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the New Zealand Women's Open golf tournament.

The 31-year-old US-based Sergas played before afternoon winds made things difficult for the later golfers in the Ladies European Tour event at the par-72 Pegasus Golf Club, north of Christchurch.

South Korea's Kim Bo-bea was in second place after a 67, with American Amelia Lewis, France's Cassandra Kirkland, Christel Boeljon, of the Netherlands, and Anja Monke, of Germany, in third place after 69s.

Auckland 13-year-old Lydia Ko, who tied for 12th at the Australian Open two weeks ago, was in a group at 70, despite having the worst of the afternoon conditions. She was level in seventh place with American Diana D'alessio and Elizabeth Bennett, of England. Defending champion Laura Davies, of England, shot 72 to share 15th place. Krystle Caithness is the best-placed Scot after shooting a 75.

Sergas has not won a tournament since turning professional in 1999. Her career-best performance is a tie for sixth at the 2008 US Women's Open.

"I was just on a roll. I was hitting the ball perfectly and putting great," Sergas said. "Sooner or later they were going in, I wasn't forcing it. I have never had a chance to win but there has to be a first time."