Omanu's Jordan Golding has stormed into the lead of the national Maori under-19 championships in Rotorua.
The Bay of Plenty junior representative scorched around the hilly Lakeview layout yesterday. He opened the day with an even par 72 before cutting loose from the field in the afternoon round with asizzling six- under-par 66. Golding now holds a six shot lead over his nearest rival Cruize Wawatai, of Wellington, who improved from an opening 81 with 69 and 70 yesterday.
Wawatai is tied for second with Poverty Bay's consistent William Brown who added 70 and 73 to his opening 76. Lakeview hopeful Houston Te Puni lost ground to the leaders with a 78 and 75 double while overnight leader Luke Robinson crashed to 17 shots behind to sit in a tie with Opotiki's Howard Maxwell for fifth.
Meanwhile, Titahi Bay's Te Rongopai Clay kept her four-shot grip on the girls' gross race with a pair of 78s to join with her opening 75. Northland's Rachael Williams remains in second after an afternoon 76 and morning 80.
The big improver was Tairawhiti's Skyla Pohatu, who bounced back from an opening 91 to card 77 and 76 and move into third spot. Taupo's Erikah Waiariki rounded out the top four after an 86 and 79 double.
