Golf: Perfect round for Munn

IN THE LEAD: Manawatu amateur Josh Munn leads the Carrus Open by three shots after two rounds.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

New Zealand amateur champion Josh Munn will take a three-shot lead into today's third round of the Carrus Open after a sizzling 63 at Tauranga Golf Club yesterday.

The 24-year-old from Manawatu, who won the Muriwai Open on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour in 2011, had a blemish free round with seven birdies. He undoubtedly has the game and temperament to hold off the top quality field chasing him.

"I will stay very aggressive, that's my game and hopefully the long game works itself out. If you are aggressive you get rewarded with good chances at birdies, so I just have to capitalise from there," Munn said.

Second equal behind Munn are fellow amateurs Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres) and Nick Coxon (Riverside), plus Blair Riordan and defending champion Mark Brown, who all shot excellent rounds of five under 65. Tauranga-based Brown looks in ominous form after his clean round of five birdies and no bogeys. He is undeniably the man to watch over the weekend, particularly with heavy rain and gusty winds forecast for tomorrow unlikely to phase Brown, who grew up in Wellington.

The biggest improver in yesterday's play was Masterton's Harry Bateman, who jumped 52 places to 12th equal after he shot 63 to go with his opening round of 74. Bateman fired eight birdies and an eagle on the 13th "racecourse hole" but a potential run at the course record of 59 was ruined by three bogeys.

Day one leader Jim Cusdin, who recently joined Omanu as a coach, dropped back to ninth place after a one over 71.

Of the Western Bay-based players, Te Puke's Jared Pender had a double bogey six on the 11th in a round of par 70 and remains in the top 10 at four under. Mount Maunganui's Hayden Beard is on three under in 12th equal after another solid round, while three-time champion Josh Geary dropped back to 50th place after a disappointing 74 but made the weekend cut line of 145 by two shots.

Keiran Muir, who learned to play at Omokoroa, made up for his opening 73 with a splendid 64, including a front nine of six under 29. He jumped 38 places up to 12th equal.

In the women's competition, Omanu's Alanna Campbell shot a fine three under 69 (par 72), to be second equal, just a shot behind Momoka Kobori. There was no repeat of Thursday's sensation from the women's group, when Fai Tongdethsri and Jill Morgan both holed in one at the par three 12th.

Play gets under way at 9.30am today.