Tough first round for Kiwi pair

WELLINGTON: Ryan Fox and Michael Hendry struggled in challenging conditions to lurk in the bottom half of the field following the first round of the British Open yesterday.

Late teeoff times did not help the New Zealand pair, who did their best to combat blustery winds at Royal Birkdale which left only a quarter of the field under par.

Hendry, in his maiden major appearance, carded a 3over 73, to share 90th place.

Having struggled with a back niggle in the leadup, the 37yearold shot four of his five bogeys on the front nine. He also managed two birdies.

Inform Fox was a stroke worse in 106th at the links course near Liverpool and had work to do to make the thirdround cut, which is forecast to be 1 or 2over.

Fox’s round comprised five bogeys, along with a birdie on the 17th hole.

It was a disappointing start for the world No 95, who has been in redhot form on the European Tour, having placed in the top six in the past three tournaments.

The round left Fox all the more determined to fire on day two, when the wind is forecast to blow hard again.

‘‘I got to see a really good round in Matt’s [coleader Matt Kuchar]. Obviously, it’s doable but I have to do something a little special tomorrow to be here for the weekend,’’ Fox said.

‘‘I didn’t hit it on the fairways enough. I gave still myself a few chances but really struggled on the greens.’’

New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee was the first alternate for the tournament but did not get to tee off as there were no late withdrawals.

Lydia Ko made a forgettable start to her title defence at the Marathon Classic in Ohio, after carding a 2over 73 in the first round yesterday.

Twin bogey fives on the fourth and fifth holes were a setback from which the New Zealand former world No 1 never recovered.

She mixed a birdie with a bogey on the back nine at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania to be 105th in a 144strong field at the LPGA event.

American Gerina Piller led by a stroke from two golfers, including Korean Sung Hyun Park, the winner of last week’s US Women’s Open.

The Marathon Classic is the most recent tournament won by Ko, just over a year ago.

She has since struggled with her game, slipping to fourth in the world rankings.