Golf: Kiwis in world title contention

Two New Zealanders were in the leading pack after yesterday's second round at the Aaron Baddeley junior world championships in Fiji.

Aaron Leech, of Wellington, was fourth, two shots off the lead, in the boys' event, while Auckland's Natasha Krishna was in a two-way tie for second in the girls' event at the Sheraton Denarau course in Nadi.

The final round will be held today.

Leech, 15, shot a one-under 71 yesterday to lead the under-16 boys age group from defending champion Philip Francis, of the United States.

Australia's Matthew Giles maintained his overall lead with a 71 to go with his opening 69, while Japan's Ryota Ito, with a 69, and American Erik Flores, who shot a 68, moved into contention.

Krishna, 15, is second in the girls' event after shooting 70 and leads her age group with America's Amanda Blumenherst.

Defending champion Jennifer Pandolfi, of the US, showed her class with a 69 to be three under for the tournament in first place.

It was a better day all round from the New Zealanders, with the team's youngest member, James Hamilton, 14, of Tauranga, moving up the leaderboard into 15th with a 74.

Kris Smith, 16, of Palmerston North, improved by two shots with a 76, while Dunedin's Thomas Campbell, 17, put some of the horrors of Tuesday's 81 behind him with a better-compiled 75.

In the girls' section, Hamilton's Stephanie Slavich, 16, finished with a 76 to be ninth on the leaderboard.

Leech's round included an eagle on the par-five fifth, three birdies and four bogeys.

The lanky Tawa College fifth-former has the game to go all the way, and with a berth in next year's Australian Open and a set of custom-made MacGregor golf clubs on offer, he doesn't lack for any incentive.

Krishna, 15, is also in line for a berth in the women's Australian Open in February and a set of golf clubs if she can overhaul the impressive Pandolfi.

In the teams event, New Zealand are fourth, four shots behind Australia and eight behind Japan.

The Americans are running away with the title, 30 shots clear of the Japanese.

- NZPA