Golf: NZ Open field in pursuit of Heaven

7.55pm - By MARTIN DAVIDSON


Auckland amateur golfer Brad Heaven has barely blinked for two days despite building pressure at the New Zealand Open.

The United States-domiciled college student has stared down his professional rivals to lead the championship after two rounds.

He sits at 10-under-par after today posting a four-under 66 in blustery conditions at the Grange, two shots clear of Australian Peter O'Malley, who managed 68.

Another stroke back is Australian Chris Downes who shot 67 after at one stage threatening to overtake Heaven. An eagle three at the 455m 12th moved him to nine-under for the tournament before he bogeyed the next two holes.

Sitting four behind Heaven are a trio featuring Auckland driving range pro Stu Malcolmson, who played out of his skin to shoot 64, a six-shot improvement on yesterday.

With him on 134 are Australians Terry Price, who managed 65 today, and Martin Doyle, who went one better with 64.

Six players are on 135, including Hamilton's David Smail, the 2001 Open champion, who made 68 after stringing together four birdies in five holes on the back nine before bogeying the last when he found a greenside bunker from the trees on the right.

Alongside Smail in a tie for seventh are Australians Euan Walters, Craig Jones, Kurt Barnes, David Diaz and Matthew Miller.

There will be some notable absentees tomorrow morning who were outside the cut mark of 140. These include New Zealand No 1 and world No 45 Michael Campbell, who was off his game in posting a four-over 74 today when a healthy southwesterly wind arrived to drive the scoring averages up.

Campbell, whose participation here was in doubt a week ago after he underwent an operation to remove varicose veins in his left leg, did not offer that as an excuse.

"It's just been one of those weeks. My leg was fine and I'm not offering that as an excuse. It just wasn't my week," Campbell said.

"Today I missed a lot of putts and hit three bad tee balls which cost me a lot of shots."

Joining Campbell in leavers' lane are defending champion Mahal Pearce, Sir Bob Charles, who exited early from his last championship, Australian Nick O'Hern, Steve Alker, Tim Wilkinson and Chris Johns, the latter an Auckland amateur who opened with 65 yesterday before crashing to earth with 77 today.

Pearce's title defence began promisingly enough with his opening round of 67 but he was heading to Auckland Airport after today's 76, which saw him four-putt the 18th when he'd left himself a 16-footer for birdie.

In all 69 players made the cut, including seven amateurs headed by Heaven.

Heaven, 23, could have been expected to suffer stage fright today after he began the round in a share of the overnight lead after shooting 64 yesterday.

But the University of Toledo student is comfortable in the spotlight, despite the pressures of competition. The last amateur to win the event was Australian Harry Berwick in 1956.

"This is my fourth New Zealand Open and I've felt better and better every year handling the attention, handling the crowds, " Heaven said.

"I've felt a lot more comfortable this year compared to the past.

"Playing in the States has helped in that area. Even for amateur events over there you get big crowds and a similar sort of atmosphere, although not to this level.

"In some ways it helps prepare you and I feel more equipped than some other guys who are less experienced."

One of those "less experienced" is Napier's Richard Squire, who shot a tournament-low 63 today, one shy of the course record established in 1986 by Australian Rodger Davis.

It marked a remarkable debut performance, with the round propelling Squire to 138 and a guaranteed pay cheque in his first tournament in the professional ranks.

For leader Heaven, performing in his home city created its own pressures, with family and friends on hand to support him.

"In the past I've found it difficult when I have so many friends and family out there supporting me. You feel like you should try that much harder because you want to do it so badly for everyone, " Heaven said.

"The experience I have had has helped me switch off from that and simply do the best I can."

His best has been more than good enough for two days. It remains to be seen whether he can string that out to four.

- NZPA