Golf: McCall eyes up history at NZ amateur champs

Vaughan McCall. Photo / Photosport.

Southland golfer Vaughan McCall is on the verge of becoming the first golfer in 24 years - and the first New Zealand golfer in 39 years - to win both the New Zealand stroke play and New Zealand amateur title in the same year.

The 20-year-old from Gore easily progressed to tomorrow's final with a 4 and 3 win over Tom Brockelsby and he will now meet 17-year-old Peter Lee from the Rotorua Golf Club over 36 holes.

Auckland golfers Wenyung and Munchin Keh will also square off over 36 holes in what is believed to be the first time sisters will meet in the women's final.

McCall is no stranger to making history. He led Southland to their first win of the Toro Interprovincial tournament in 61 years last year and then became the first golfer from the deep south to win the New Zealand stroke play.

If he wins this weekend, he will be the first New Zealand golfer to do the double in almost 40 years after Tauranga golfer Mike Nicholson won both events at the Springfield Golf Club in 1973.

In his way is Lee, who beat Auckland's Tae Koh this afternoon by 1up. Lee admitted he had not dreamed of winning the New Zealand amateur title simply because he didn't expect to progress this far.

"I know it's a big tournament but I never thought I'd be in this position," said Lee. "I just wanted to make the top 32 that was my main goal for this week and after that it was just one match at a time and it turned out pretty good.

"If I play my best I certainly have a chance but I don't want to lose my head over it. I'll give my best to win."

Sisters Wenyung and Munchin Keh admitted that meeting each other in the final of the women's final will be weird.

Wenyung, the younger sister, defeated Lita Guo 4 and 3 this afternoon and was cheering her sister on in the fading light as she overcame Joanna Kim by 2 and 1 to set up the sister's showdown.

"It feels really good and it's even better that I am playing my sister, it will be a good experience," said the 15-year-old Wenyung. "I will feel relaxed because I have played with my sister quite a few times now. It wouldn't be too tough. We practice most of the time together at Titirangi and know each other's game pretty well."