Golf: Geary shoots NZ into contention

A brilliant round from Josh Geary has led New Zealand golfers back into contention midway through the world amateur team championships in South Africa today.

New Zealand jumped 15 places to a share of 12th after two rounds in the Eisenhower Trophy on two-under par, eight shots behind leaders Canada.

Geary (Tauranga) fired a five-under par 67 and Hamilton s James Gill shot a one-under 71 for a six-under par total of 138 for the two best counting scores. Mark Purser (Hamilton) had the non-counting two-over 74 at Stellenbosch course.

Canada moved to 10-under, a shot clear of USA with Netherlands and Mexico sharing third place on seven-under. Sweden, on the back of the day's low round of 12-under 132, are in fifth place on six-under, one shot ahead of Korea. The quartet of France, Japan, Ireland and Austria share seventh place on four-under.

New Zealand team captain John Gatley said Geary had been waiting to explode and could have easily fired even lower today.

"It was a typical hot effort from Josh. He fired the ball in close all day and slid the ball by with a number of birdie putts early. It was a magnificent effort."

Geary made six straight pars before his hot spell with birdies at the 7th, 9th, 11th and 12th holes and an eagle at the 8th, while he made a solitary bogey at the last hole.

Gill, fighting some illness, fought back from two-over with birdies at the 8th, 11th and 18th holes to provide the important second counting score in red figures, while Purser was two-under at the turn but dropped shots at each of the last four holes after failing to get up-and-down on each occasion.

"The boys are feeling pretty pleased with their performance overall today. They still gave a couple of shots away late and know they can continue to improve," Mr Gatley said.

"It was a big move although there are still eight shots to the leaders. If they can continue this form tomorrow you don't know where they might leave us.

"We were hoping that the winds would get up in the afternoon today to affect the teams teeing off later like we experienced yesterday but it was still all day and idyllic for good scoring."

Geary has jumped up to a share of sixth on the individual rankings on four-under, three shots behind leaders Chris Kirk (USA) and Richard Scott (Canada).

New Zealand remain at the Stellenbosch course for tomorrow's third round and will complete the tournament at the nearby De Zalze course.

Leading scores after round 2 of the Eisenhower Trophy at Stellenbosch and De Zalze courses, both par 72, + denotes non-counting score:

278 Canada 139 139

279 USA 143 136

281 Netherlands 141 140, Mexico 143 138

282 Sweden 150 132

283 Korea 146 137

284 France 142 142, Japan 145 139, Ireland 146 138, Austria 143 141

285 Malaysia 143 142

286 Spain 145 141, Scotland 144 142, New Zealand 148 138 (Josh Geary 73 67 James Gill 75 71 Mark Purser 76+ 74+)

287 England 149 138, Chinese Taipei 147 140, Wales 144 143, Germany 146 141

Leading individuals:

137 Chris Kirk (USA) 71 66, Richard Scott (Can) 69 68

138 Mauricio Tamex (Mex) 70 68

139 Will Besseling (Net) 69 70, Yuki Usami (Jap) 70 69

140 Josh Geary (NZL) 73 67, Oliver fisher (Eng) 74 66, Sung Hoon Kaing (Kor) 73 67

- NZPA