Ponting turns from punter to a putter

Queenstown, New Zealand: Former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting used to win attention in New Zealand for his high scores, but it was his low score at the New Zealand Golf Open that caught the eye on Thursday.

Ponting, who was also known during his playing days as ‘The Punter’, had six birdies in a combined 7-under par opening round of 65 with playing partner Tony Popovic in the pro-am, best ball section of the tournament.

Ponting and Popovic were still five shots off the pro-am pace, which was set at 12-under.

Ponting played in a group including former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, while another former Australia captain, Allan Border and partner Brad Hughes were at 4-under.