Klein holds one stroke lead at the Carrus Tauranga Open
Te Anau based NZPGA Professional David Klein holds a slender one stroke lead after the opening round of the Carrus Tauranga Open. This is the final Charles Tour event for the season and is part of the Jennian Homes series which is also creating interest. Klein scored a bogey free round of seven under par 63 today to be placed one stroke ahead of Dongwoo Kang, local amateur Karl Knedler and Tauranga based professional Mark Brown on 64. Brown started on the 11th hole and began slowly, commenting that he went out in a Lada and came home in a Ferrari with 29 on his final nine holes.Jared Pender, Troy Ropiha, Harry Bateman and Matthew Friend are a further stroke back on 65.
Players are vying for the Carrus Open Prize money as well as the season long Jennian Homes trophy which carries a bonus $5,000 for the leading player over the five Charles Tour events. Gareth Paddison started the week with a comfortable lead after successive victories at the Akarana and Muriwai Opens but needs a strong performance to hold on. Mark Brown will need a victory to have a chance of winning so there will be an extra edge to this week’s event