Top amateur leads Carrus Open

ON TOP: Manawatu amateur Josh Munn leads the Carrus Open by three shots after two rounds. Photo/File

New Zealand amateur champion Josh Munn has a three shot lead after two rounds of the Carrus Open after a sizzling seven under 63 at Tauranga Golf Club today.

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.

The biggest improver was 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 at three over after shooting a disappointing 74.

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 underway at 9.30am tomorrow.

Draws: www.bopgolf.co.nz