KEY POINTS:
Australian golfer Steven Bowditch went on a birdie binge to grab the lead early in the second round of the New Zealand Open today.
Bowditch helped himself to eight birdies in a scorching round of seven-under-par 65 at The Hills near Queenstown.
That promoted him to 10-under 134 for the championship, with a four-stroke advantage over his nearest challengers.
Scotsman Peter Whiteford and England's Richard Finch were in the clubhouse at 138 after shooting rounds of 68 and 65 respectively.
Receptive conditions greeted the players today after blustery southerly winds tested their fortitude on the opening day.
That did not help the cause of New Zealand No 1 Michael Campbell, who missed the cut for the second successive week when posting a four-over 76 to be five-over for the tournament, containing a triple bogey on his ninth hole, the par-four 18th, when he hit his drive out of bounds to the left.
Among the later starters are joint first-round leaders Craig Parry and Paul Sheehan, of Australia, who are tied at four-under alongside Englishman Matthew Woods.
New Zealand's Michael Long and rookie professional Brenden Stuart also had afternoon tee times after shooting 69s yesterday morning.
The leading 65 players plus ties from the 156-strong field will advance to the money rounds this weekend.
- NZPA
