Golf: Wilkin leads after sensational 64

Fraser Wilkin made the best of benign conditions at Muriwai. He leads the field by three after narrowly missing a share of the course record. Photo / Photosport

Auckland amateur Fraser Wilkin will take a three-shot lead into the third round of the Muriwai Open after firing an eight-under 64 in balmy conditions on the west coast yesterday.

With a 70 in the first round, the 24-year-old from the Royal Auckland Club has a 10-under total for the first 36 holes and will tee off today at 10.30 am in company with rookie professional Ryan Fox, who had 68 after a first-round 69, and Manawatu amateur Josh Munn, who added a par 72 to his opening 65.

Wilkin, leading amateur and seventh overall in the last Charles Tour event at New Plymouth, started on the 10th tee and was four under at the turn. He made a good round great when he eagled the 461m par-five second when he needed only a six-iron second after his drive of the day.

Birdies on six and seven took him to eight under and a birdie putt that circled the hole on the next denied him a share of the course record set by Munn last year.

"I was pretty good from the start," said Wilkin. "I burned the edge of the first two holes for birdie and the putter felt good in my hands.

"At the start of the year I was mentally not there but in the last two months I've been getting there."

Munn's par round was better than it seemed after he had a double-bogey on the first where he left a pitching wedge short and stuttered to a seven.

Fox made a flying start in near perfect conditions with clear skies and only a hint of a breeze. He was four under after six holes, needing only six putts at that stage.

"It was a little disappointing to be honest. I got a very good start and I gave myself a lot of opportunities but didn't take them.

"Hopefully I'll be in the last couple of groups tomorrow and I can put some pressure on whoever's leading."

Fox has had a very successful start to his professional career, heading the NZPGA order of merit for the season. He finished first equal in the Charles Tour event at New Plymouth, losing the title in a playoff. He won a pro-am at Martinborough and lost in a playoff after setting a new course record at Poverty Bay.

The Aucklander shot an eight-under 64 on his way to fourth place in the inaugural NZPGA Pro Am at The Hills.

Fox was in a group with top amateur Lydia Ko yesterday and got level in their personal haggle after Ko's first round 67 had given her the edge on Thursday. Despite the more benign conditions the 15-year-old Ko looked merely mortal as she recorded a par 72.

"I was just scrambling," she said. "My putting was good again except I three-putted two holes on the back nine."

The top 60 and ties in the men's field of the Ask Metro event made the cut, with the first group teeing off today at 8.30 am. The women's field has been reduced to 13 with the first group also off at 8.30 am.