Golf: Long leads at China Masters

Michael Long of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran New Zealand golfer Michael Long rekindled some of the magic of his past to take the lead into the third round of the $1 million ($1.23 million) China Masters.

The 42-year-old carded a five-under par 67 yesterday for a two round total of seven-under 137 at Nanshan International Golf Club's Danling Cuiyuan course.

He leads the OneAsia Tour event by a stroke from Australians Andre Stolz and Scott Laycock. Stolz, winner of the season opening Indonesia PGA Championship on OneAsia, fired a 68 while Laycock shot 67.

One stroke further back is Australian Terry Pilkadaris, who came in with a 68.

Long was once the golden boy of golf in New Zealand and won the New Zealand Open in 1996 and the Greg Norman Invitational three years later. He also claimed titles on the Nationwide Tour in the United States in 2001 and 2003.

He made an eagle, four birdies and dropped one shot to put himself in a strong position to push for the winner's cheque of $180,000. His last win came in the Western Australian PGA Championship in 2008.

"It has not been too long since I last won. The memories and emotions are still there. I will feel nervous going into the weekend but it would be wrong not to be," Long said.

- NZPA