ARROWTOWN, New Zealand – Australian rookie Zach Murray shot an 8-under 63, the best round of his fledgling professional career, to share the first-round lead at the 100th New Zealand Open on Thursday with Ryuko Tokimatsu and Harry Bateman.
The 21-year-old from Wodonga in Victoria state, who turned pro in October, had four birdies on each nine.
Tokimatsu birdied the last two holes to claim his share of the lead, while Bateman eagled the 17th and birdied the 18th in the last group of the day to ensure New Zealand had a player atop the leaderboard in its centenary Open.