Golf: Geary a strong hope

Josh Geary of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

As the growing desire to see a Kiwi break the eight-year drought without a New Zealander winning their own national golf open continues, Josh Geary is shaping as a sturdy contender.

The 27-year-old holds a share of the lead at the halfway point of the New Zealand Open after he fired a four-under par 68 at a breezy Clearwater course today (Fri)

Geary is at five-under, alongside Australian veterans Craig Parry and Brad Kennedy, and he said his train of thought wouldn't change for the weekend.

"There's a few shots where you have to be quite wary of the trouble and play away from it. Slightly more conservative but [it will be] a similar game plan to yesterday," Geary said.

"To be honest, the first few times I played [the course] I wasn't a huge fan of it. I liked it, but it wasn't one of my favourite courses but I seem to play well here. I've started to like it more and more, I guess."

Much has been made of the wind during the week, with it being particularly strong in the afternoon, but Geary said the conditions weren't his primary concern.

"I'm sure it'll be a slight disadvantage but the other guys are on the same scores and off at the same time so it won't make much difference.

"If it's calm in the morning someone could shoot a low number, on Saturday or Sunday."

While Geary might be the best-placed Kiwi, Hawke's Bay pro Doug Holloway is still in the mix after he fired a one-under 71 and is in a tie for fourth, alongside Australians Jake Higginbottom and Leigh McKechnie.

Steve Alker and Mahal Pearce are the other Kiwis under the card, one under in a tie for 11th.

Kiwi amateur Peter Lee was disqualified today after the Rotorua teenager played with non-conforming clubs.

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-APNZ