Harry Bateman of New Zealand plays a fairway shot during day one of the 2019 New Zealand Open at The Hills Golf Club. Photo: Getty Images
There is a three way tie at the top after the first round of the NZ Open today.
Young Australian Zach Murray went out in the morning and hit an eight under 63 at Millbrook and he looked set to be the overnight leader.
But late in the day, first Japanese golfer Ryuko Tokimatsu came home hard at The Hills to finish tied with Murray.
New Zealander Harry Bateman though had the last say. Playing in the final group of the day he went five under in his last five holes at The Hills to finish tied for the lead.
Conditions were relatively calm and more than two thirds of the field recorded par or better. The golfers would swap courses today before the cut after the second round.
