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 White hot Purser into contention in Carrus Tauranga Open Friday 27th April, 2007 A remarkable 10-under par 61 from young Waikato professional Mark Purser has pushed him into contention after two rounds of the Carrus Tauranga Open today. Overnight leaders Hamish Robertson (Taihape) and Leighton James (Auckland) have retained their joint lead after 36 holes at the Tauranga Golf Club. The pair, who led on eight-under par after the first round, both shot four-under 67s in the second round today. The charge came from Purser and local club player Jared Pender, who are in a share of third place on 10-under par 132. New Zealand representatives James Gill (Hamilton) and Troy Ropiha (New Plymouth) join Sydney-based professional Martin Pettigrew in fifth place on eight-under par. Christchurch-based professional Matt Holten and talented young Aucklander Travis O'Connell share eighth place on seven-under, one shot ahead of a group of five players tied for 10th place. They include New Zealand Amateur champion Danny Lee (Rotorua), North Island champion Nick Gillespie (Hastings), Waikato professional Brad Shilton, NZ Maori champion Perry Hayman (Manor Park) and Hamilton greenkeeper Doug Millington. Purser shot the lowest score of his career, mixing six birdies and two eagles with a solitary dropped shot in a superb round. He raced through the front nine in 29 after a superb display tee to green. "I hit the ball a lot better today. I drove it very straight and this is such a short course that if you are in play off the tee then it allows you to have some short irons in," Purser said. "I had a lot of wedges into greens and consequently had a lot of birdie attempts." Purser said he did not think about the course record 60 held by Eddie Burgess. "I was not too fussed about it. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself." Purser, who missed his card to both the Australasian and Asian Tours after turning professional late last year, is looking forward to the weekend. "It's been a while since I've played four rounds. I’ve been limited to one and two round pro-ams so I am looking forward to the weekend. "This is the sort of course that anyone can be in it as I showed today." Pender continued his remarkable return to top level golf following his runner-up effort in the North and South Island Championships and he made the quarterfinals of the New Zealand Amateur. His six-under 65 included five birdies and an eagle to go with a single bogey on the 16th hole. "I've been in good form lately and have gone pretty close. I'm playing on my home course this time and that will definitely be an advantage on the final two holes. "It gives me quite a lot of confidence and I am looking forward to it." Gill fired seven birdies in his five-under 66 along with a double bogey at the third, with Ropiha shooting 68. Best of the morning rounds was New Zealand rep Andrew Searle (Russley) who bagged five birdies and an eagle in his seven-under 64 to move to five-under for the tournament after 36 holes. The cut came at one-over par with 25 professionals and 36 amateurs including two females, junior internationals Zoe-Beth Brake (Whakatane) and Emily Perry (Lochiel) who fired a second round five-under 66 today. Full scores: Tauranga LeaderboardFor further information: |
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