Golf: Amateur grabs lead at Taranaki

Hawkes Bay amateur Doug Holloway overcame tough conditions to grab the lead at the halfway mark of the $40,000 Taranaki Open in New Plymouth yesterday.

Freshening northerlies left the afternoon field to cope with a much sterner test on the Ngamotu links course in the Golf Tour NZ event.

Holloway shot a six-under 66 in the final group of the day for a two-round total of nine-under 135.

He had a one shot lead over overnight leader North Harbour professional Josh Carmichael who shot 71.

Holloway was matched with the best round of the day by New Plymouth amateur Troy Ropiha, who moved to six-under and a share of third place.

Also on 138 were New Plymouth professional Grant Moorhead and national amateur representatives Josh Geary, of Mt Maunganui, who shot 71 and 70 respectively.

They were two clear of another national amateur representative in Mark Purser, of Hamilton, and last year's Taranaki Open runner-up, Wellington professional Mark Brown, in a share of fifth on 140.

Mt Maunganui amateur Brad Iles shared seventh on 141 with Wanganui's Riki Kauika and Auckland professional Scott Overend.

Holloway, starting on the 10th, turned at two-under after an eagle at the par-five 18th, then hit four birdies coming home, including three in succession.

The challenging conditions left an impression on Ropiha.

"It was one or two shots harder this afternoon although it was good to get that back nine out of the way first for me, because it's tougher in the strong winds," said Ropiha, who started at the 10th.

Carmichael said the afternoon conditions were a significant test as he mixed four birdies with three dropped shots. "I had a bad middle patch today and missed a few fairways."

Moorhead had a mixed day with five birdies and four dropped shots for his 71 but remains in contention while Geary is poised to pounce, following his first-round 68 with 70 which contained five birdies. "I'm a bit annoyed because I played well enough to shoot much better."

- NZPA