• Broch Larsen leads, Ko still in touch

Talented Dane Nicole Broch Larsen shot a 6 under par round of 66 to take a 1 shot lead into tomorrow’s second round of the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open at Clearwater GC in Christchurch.

The 22 old year old from Hillerod in Denmark, who is the second highest ranked player in the Rolex Rankings competing this week started at the 10th hole this morning and was quickly into stride starting with a birdie at the par 5. She made further birdies at the 12th and 13th holes and another was to follow at the par 4 15th hole to be 4 under par after just six holes. She made light of the tough stretch of holes from the 16th to the 18th making comfortable pars at each of them to make the turn in 32. The unassuming Dane was quickly to 6 under par after birdies at 2 and 3 before her only mistake of the round came at the par 5  5th hole where she made a disappointing bogey 6. She bounced back with a birdie at the 7th before closing with 2 pars for a 6 under 66.

Broch Larsen, in her third season on the Ladies European Tour was obviously delighted with her round, “For my first round of 2016 I am really happy to shoot a 66. I played really solid today, got off to a good start and just hit a bad tee shot on the 5th hole which was my 14th hole and was lucky to only drop 1 shot to be honest. Broch Larsen, who broke through for her first LET win at the Gothenburg Masters last year was happy her recent hard work had paid dividends today” I was not happy with the way my 2015 season ended, I struggled with my swing a little bit but have worked really hard in my off season and it felt really solid today. Playing in the morning without any wind was really nice. The wind can really affect the scores a lot on this course and I am sure it will be windy this afternoon and we will have it tomorrow.\"

Asked whether the large crowds this week would be a help or a hindrance  should she be in contention on Sunday Broch Larsen seemed confident  “I have been in contention quite a bit the past couple of years and since I broke through for my first win I feel much more comfortable with the crowds and playing in the leading groups”

Broch Larsen will take a one shot lead into tomorrow’s second round over the talented young French rookie Justine Dreher, who was impressive in her professional debut last week at the Oates Victorian Open finishing in 5th  place. Just a further shot back is French star Gwladys Nocera, herself former winner of this Championship here at Clearwater in 2009 and Scotland`s Pamela Pretswell who both shot 4 under par rounds of 68.

World number one and overwhelming tournament favourite Lydia Ko was the first to admit that she hadn’t brought her “A’ game with her to Clearwater today, but such is the quality of the 18 year old she was able to grind it out and shoot another sub 70 round at a course where she has such a superb record. She birdied her final hole of the day to shoot a 3 under par 69, the same score shot by her compatriot Cathryn Bristow.

Play will resume at 7:30 on Saturday morning. Lydia Ko will tee off at 1:29pm and leader Broch Larsen is two groups behind Ko at 1:51pm.

After round two there will be a cut to 50 professionals plus ties and amateurs falling within the cut line. The third and final round will be played on Sunday.

For all today’s scores go to www. http://alpg.com.au/tournament.php?id=4251&pid=1150&sec=lb

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