KEY POINTS:
Former New Plymouth golfer Troy Ropiha is poised to complete a happy homecoming after blitzing his old course to carry a four shot lead into the final round of the Taranaki Open tomorrow.
Ropiha, now domiciled in Taupo, carded a stunning six-under 66 at the New Plymouth Golf Club to move to eight-under (208) after the penultimate round.
He relieved Dominic Barson of the overall lead, with the Nelson professional now in joint second place with Wellington's Andrew Green on four-under.
While a stiff breeze continued to test the men's and women's field on the links course at Ngamotu, it was at least less severe than the opening two rounds.
In a mirror image of yesterday, Ropiha meandered his way through the first nine holes, turning at two-under before he drove out of bounds and dropped a shot on the 11th.
However, he swiftly got his game in order and surged home with three birdies and an eagle on the last, nailed when he sunk a 10-metre putt before heading for the clubhouse.
"I was a bit lucky with that one. I was just trying to get it close for a two-putt birdie and get out of there," Ropiha said.
Ropiha led after three rounds at the last Charles Tour event at Wairakei two weeks ago before fading back to third place so was keen to avoid a repeat tomorrow.
"It's the same scenario as Wairakei but hopefully the results will be a bit better. I think I'm still in good head space. I'm really trying not to get worked up after I hit a bad shot."
Wairakei Open winner Doug Holloway, out of contention after blowing out to 11-over recorded the round of the day - a tournament record seven-under 65 to save some face.
He made two birdies and an eagle to turn four-under and added three further birdies coming home.
New Zealand representative Caroline Bon from Whangarei took out the women's honours after their tournament was restricted to 54 holes because the players travel to Nelson tomorrow to prepare for the Interprovincials starting on Tuesday.
Bon fired an even-par 72 today to tie with overnight leader Chantelle Cassidy(Rotorua) on nine-over par 225 and took out the title on the second extra hole.
- NZPA AK