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 2006 GTNZ Olex Taranaki Open Thursday 28 – Sunday 1 October, 2006 GTNZ Olex Taranaki Open – day 2 wrap 29 September 2006 New Zealand representative Josh Geary produced a superb seven-under par 67 to grab a share of the lead after the second round of the GTNZ Olex Taranaki Open today. Geary's seven-under par tally was one shot off the course record at the New Plymouth Golf Club to leave him at the top of the leaderboard with Wellington professional Mark Brown who shot a six-under 66 today at the New Plymouth Golf Club. The pair are on eight-under par 136 in the $40,000 event that 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. They are two shots clear of local amateur Troy Ropiha and Sydney-based professional Martin Pettigrew on six-under. The New Plymouth golfer was four-over after five holes but recovered six birdies in the final 12 holes, while Pettigrew, playing in the final group of the day, fired a superb five-under 67 today. Professionals Clark Osborne (Auckland) and Brad Shilton (Te Awamutu) are in a share of fifth place in five-under. Four players share seventh place on four-under including local professional Grant Moorhead, who shot an excellent five-under 67 today, New Zealand representative Mark Purser and Eisenhower reserve Leighton James along with Palmerston North professional Hamish Robertson. His round of one-over 73 included a disastrous quadruple bogey eight after a two-shot penalty. Two players are tied for 11th place consisting of Christchurch-based professional Mathew Holten and Wellington amateur Brenden Stuart. The leading female is local teenager Ji Soo Oh on even-par 144 ahead of the New Zealand Espirito Santo team led by Sharon Ahn on two-over. It was a successful morning for the New Zealand amateur men's team with Geary's team-mates Mark Purser and James Gill both shooting two-under par 70. The efforts pleased coach Jamie Kupa. "It's been a great day. Any time all the team members play under the card you have to be happy," Kupa said. However he is not putting any fixed goals on his team. "These boys are self-sufficient and set their own goals. They all wanted to shoot under par today. One shot at a time is the name of the game. We are not counting the score until the finish. If they just concentrate on a shot at a time they have more chance of shooting to their potential." Geary was thrilled with his ball striking despite battling a foot injury and the flu. "I'm still feeling crook but I'm full of medication to get this cold better. And my foot is a bit sore still," Geary said. "Our coach Jamie Kupa helped sort out a simple thing with my putting. It's back to the basics which got the putts rolling really well today. "It's probably the best I have hit it consistently almost ever right now. Stat-wise it's been really impressive the last few tournaments." Geary, who fired five birdies and two eagles in his round, wants to win his second GTNZ event after the Tauranga Open last month. "I'd like to go away from here with the highest placing, that's the goal to win it. Brown, who is planning a return to the fulltime tour, was pleased with the outcome if not the fundamentals today. "I'm still not overly happy with the swing right now. Today though the bad ones still sent reasonably straight," Brown said. "I am working pretty hard at it, so it is a work in progress. I think by the end of the year when I head to the qualifying schools I will be hitting it much better. "I am stoked with the score. The short game was excellent. I made some a couple of good saves when I got into trouble and lots of birdies." Ninety-two players including the 10 females will contest tomorrow's third round with the top 60 players contesting the final round on Sunday. Full scores www.gtnz.org For further information: |
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