Golf: Ahn takes the lead - and handles the fame

For the second year in a row, Northcote College student Sharon Ahn leads the New Zealand Women's Strokeplay championship with one round to play.

Despite making double bogey on each of her last two holes at the Titirangi Golf Club yesterday afternoon, the 14-year-old star of New Zealand's Tasman Cup win earlier in the week completed rounds of 69 and 73 for a three-round total of 216, three-over par.

Ahn is one shot ahead of Australian Tasman Cup player Nikki Garrett with Mi Kyung Kim (Pupuke) one shot further back in third.

New Zealand's top ranked player, Sarah Nicholson of Hutt, is fourth on 222, while last year's winner, champion Penny Newbrook of Rotorua, recovered from a disastrous opening round of 83 on Friday to shoot 74 and 72 yesterday. But she's now 13 shots behind Ahn and, as a result, is unlikely to successfully defend her title.

Ahn admits that 12 months ago she didn't have a clue how to handle being in the lead at a national championship.

"I was just so nervous then, I couldn't cope with the gallery and the cameras and I didn't know how to calm myself down" she said as she contemplated this morning's final round at the testing west Auckland course.

"This time I just have to forget about those final two holes and I think I'll be much calmer."

The pressure from Garrett will be intense today. The Australian won the prestigious Riversdale Cup in Melbourne last weekend and at one stage was five-under in her third round yesterday.

But she has a relaxed attitude about the possiblity of winning two tournaments in two weeks.

"I'm not going to try and go out and win. I just want to play well."

The final group tees off this morning about 9 am.