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 2006 GTNZ WAIRAKEI OPEN Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 September, 2006 Nicholson leads men at GTNZ Wairakei Open golf New Zealand women’s representative Sarah Nicholson has created history by leading the $40,000 GTNZ Wairakei Open near Taupo today. The Wellington golfer fired a five-under 67 for a 36 hole total of 138, six-under par. She has a one shot lead over New Zealand representative Mark Purser and Manawatu professional Andrew McNair on five-under. The Wairakei Open is part of the Golf Tour New Zealand established by Greg Turner to provide opportunities for young New Zealand professionals and to raise the bar for the leading amateurs, both men and women. Nicholson, 21, is part of the New Zealand team using the event as a build up for next month’s world amateur teams championship in South Africa. She was two-under at the turn before making four birdies in five holes. A bogey on the final hole cost her a 66 and match the men’s course record. "It’s pretty good. It feels amazing to lead a tournament against men and professionals," Nicholson said. "We are playing off the women’s tees though to be fair." "It felt easy today. I wish it was like that every round. I hit the ball well and made a lot of putts." Series founder Greg Turner said he was thrilled with the effort. "This is exactly one of the reasons we established this concept. It gives a chance for our elite players, whether they be male or female, pro or amateur, to test themselves against eachother." Purser, second overnight after a first round 68, shot a one-under 71 today to move to five-under par 139 while McNair was the best of the afternoon scorers with a three-under 69 to go with his first round 70. Four players share fourth place on four-under 140 including professionals Doug Holloway, Tony Christie and first round leader Scott Overend with Waikato amateur Mark Boe. Rotorua teenager Danny Lee rushed up the leaderboard with a five-under 67, the day’s low-round that he shared with Boe, to share eighth place on three-under 141. Australian-based professional Martin Pettigrew shares tenth place with fellow Queenstown pro Chris Judd and Auckland amateur Ben Davies. Only 13 players are on par or better with 61 players making the 36-hole cut at 10-over 154. Purser, who heads to South Africa next month for the Eisenhower Trophy world amateur championship, was solid and spectacular today, with three birdies and four bogeys with a brilliant eagle on the par-5 18th in his 71. McNair, the PGA trainee champion, had his five-birdie blitz stunted with one bad hole, a double bogey at the sixth hole. Both Lee and Boe found the back nine to their liking in their low-rounds of 67. The 16-year-old Lee, who has recently returned after playing in the US Amateur, started on the 10th hole today, turning four-under before grabbing two more birdies coming home mixed with just one blemish. Boe, who has recently returned from Australia to further his golf career, was one-under par after nine holes but made four more in his last seven holes round of 67. Holloway, who leaves next week to begin his quest for a US PGA card, mixed five birdies with two dropped shots, while experienced Canterbury pro Christie showed his brilliant shotmaking with seven birdies and three dropped shots in his four-under par 68. Scores to follow. Full scores www.gtnz.org For further information: |
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