Golf: Second 8-under day keeps Geary firmly in control at Tauranga Open

The birdie blitz continued from New Zealand amateur golf representative Josh Geary in the second round of the Tauranga Open yesterday.

Geary fired a second eight-under 63 at Tauranga Golf Club to hold a three-shot lead over another Tauranga player, Kevin Smith.

Rotorua teenager Danny Lee was third, another five shots back.

Thirty-three players were on par or better at the midway point, with the cut for the top 64 players plus ties being made at five-over 147.

Three players shared fourth place on 136: Waikato professional Glenn Millen, Christchurch professional Tony Christie and Rotorua teenager Ben Guilford.

Another three professionals shared seventh on 137: Australian-based Martin Pettigrew, Pauanui's Reon Sayer and Waikato's Brad Shilton.

Starting his round at the 10th, there was no hint of the impending fireburst from Geary as he moved sedately through his first six holes square with the card.

He made a comfortable birdie at the par-five 17th, the first of six successive birdies.

Geary required just 29 strokes for his second nine when he pocketed eight birdies.

It seemed that he would street the field until Smith and Pettigrew paired up in the penultimate group to stay in contact with the leader.

A number of players made moves in the benign conditions, led by 64s by Smith and Pettigrew, who went against the trend by making their moves late in the day.

Richard Wright, of Matamata, shot a six-under 65 and Lee enjoyed a 66. Smith was two-under at the turn before firing five birdies on the back nine. Pettigrew turned three-under and added two birdies and a brilliant eagle coming home.

The $40,000 tournament, run under the umbrella of Golf Tour New Zealand, was established by Greg Turner to provide opportunities for young professionals and to raise the bar for leading amateurs, both men and women.

- NZPA