(Christchurch, New Zealand)
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Australia&aposs World No.26, Katherine Hull stopped short of saying putting was a simple exercise on the Clearwater greens, but she made it look that way in the opening round of the New Zealand Women’s Open in Christchurch today.
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rnOne of the drawcards for the inaugural $150,000 NZ Women&aposs Open, Hull was red-hot with her putter, taking just 24 putts, in a brilliant 7-under par round of 65 which left her three shots clear of her nearest rival, fellow Australian Sarah Oh.
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rnThe same pair fought out the finish to the New South Wales Open last Sunday with Oh prevailing by three shots.
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rnEqual third on three-under 69 were the leading amateur, 14-year-old Aucklander Cecilia Cho, experienced Australian professional Karen Lunn, and young Korean professional Yeon Song Kim.
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rnThirteen professionals and two amateurs in a field of 106 bettered the par of 72 with the early starters experiencing excellent conditions while those further down the field had to contend with a swirling wind
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rnHull was always in touch with the leaders on the easier front nine after three birdies in the first six holes, but she had her only bogey of the round when she dunked her approach shot to the par-4 eighth green in water.
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rnThere were no such mistakes on the back nine where most of the water comes into play, and with Hull holding the greens to ransom she had five birdies, including four consecutively from the 14th, in a back nine of 31.
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rnI thought the back nine was more difficult going into today’s round, but obviously a hot putter helps the score,’’ said the 27-year-old Queenslander who was buoyed by a long-range birdie putt on the first hole.
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rnI holed one from the front fringe from 45 feet and then on the par-3 16th made one from close to 55 feet so that was two bombs,’’ Hull said, adding that conditions were perfect and the greens very true.
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rnHull said she had corrected a few putting flaws from last week’s tournament in her preparation this week and a 67 in Thursday’s pro-am boosted her confidence.
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rnI saw the putting lines better than usual and it was just a matter of matching that with the right speed. I wouldn’t say it was easy because you still have to pay attention and put the right speed on and that’s what happened today.’’
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rnHull said her concentration waned when playing her approach to the eighth. I did get sloppy and went blank over the ball and hit it in the water. I got what I deserved. I said you are an idiot seriously’ but didn’t get mad with myself.’’
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rnHull set herself the challenge of getting up-and-down for bogey and did that.
rnShe was consistent from tee to green, hitting 10 fairways and 14 greens in regulation – but honestly it was down to the putting as I wasn’t hitting it super close.’’
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rnOh, with birdies at the fourth, fifth, sixth, 14th and 16th holes, was two behind Hull playing the last where she had her only bogey after almost driving into the water. She was able to promote the ball without taking a penalty, but was unable to get up and down for par.
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rnShe was philosophical about the dropped shot. If you get into water you don’t expect to make birdie or par. I struck it well today and was really good with the short putts.’’
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rnShe had only 28 putts and thanked her Clearwater caddy, 15-year-old James Cadenhead, for reading the greens for her. When informed Hull had taken just 24 putts, she replied: Wow, are you serious?’’
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