Golf: Aussie tops under-21 qualifiers

Australian Sarah Kemp has qualified top for the New Zealand under-21 women's championships at Lower Hutt yesterday.

The Sydneysider, runner-up in the Australian junior championships, finished with a two-over par 146 for the 36-hole strokeplay qualifying at the Hutt Golf Club.

The 16-year-old, a member of the winning Australian team at the weekend's Junior Tasman Trophy, followed her morning 74 with an even-par 72 in the afternoon.

She qualified two shots clear of the in-form New Zealand pair of Enu Chung of Auckland and Masterton's Amy Smith. Defending champion Penny Newbrook of Rotorua was a further shot back.

Chung, aged 14, who had the morning's best round of even-par 72, bagged a four-over 76 in the afternoon. Smith dropped four bogeys in a row after turning three-under par after nine holes in the afternoon.

Newbrook enjoyed the best round, a one-under 71 in the afternoon after her disappointing opening 78.

Both international squads from Australia and New Zealand, except for North Shore's Natalie Storck, qualified for the top 16.

The players complete two rounds of matchplay today, then semifinals and finals tomorrow.