Hole in one for Tataurangi in US

Phil Tataurangi's birdie barrage and a hole in one propelled the New Zealander to the lead part way through the opening round of the Nationwide Tour's Fort Smith Classic golf tournament in Arkansas today.

Tataurangi was on course to break 60 on the Hardscrabble Country Club when recording five birdies and an ace on the par-3 eighth to turn on seven-under.

But Tataurangi was only able to pick up another shot on the run home to settle for an 8-under 62 -- to give him a two-shot lead over American Tee McCabe.

Fellow New Zealander Bradley Iles, who was runner-up in the last Nationwide Tour event in Tennessee earlier this week was one-under through six holes.