Masters chips in with solid round in age champs

Kadin Neho.

Northland golfer Sean Masters was hoping this year would be his year as he headed into the final round of the New Zealand Age Group Championships in Christchurch.

The 18-year-old Masters, who now plays out of Otago due to his university commitments, was looking to make the most of his last chance at the age championships as he sat four shots from the leader with a share of second place.

"It would be huge to win this title," said Masters. "I have been playing this tournament for years and this is my last chance to win it so I am keen to make the most of this opportunity. I am only a few back and I will be giving it my best to challenge for the title."

The Northland rep, who helped Whangarei Boys' High School win the New Zealand Secondary Schools title last year, was pleased with his second round effort yesterday where he birdied three out of the four par fives.

"I hit a lot of fairways which helped put me in good positions for birdies. I putted well as well. I drove the ball well on the par fives so I was able to get around the green in two."

Fellow Northlander Kadin Neho also remained near the top after round two of three. The Boys' High golfer sat six shots off the pace to hold a share of fifth going into yesterday's final round.

Leading the pack was Bay of Plenty golfer Peter Lee, who showed why he was regarded as one of the favourites to claim the New Zealand Age Group Championship title with a two-under par 70.

Lee's bogey-free 70 in cool and windy conditions was one of only two sub-par rounds of the championship alongside Manawatu rep Trent Munn (71).

Lee, who was the beaten finalist at last year's New Zealand Amateur at Mt Maunganui, has continued the good form he has shown on the local scene this year, which has seen him win three titles.

Meanwhile, in the women's Age Championships, Brooke Kingi of Whangaroa was the highest placed of the Northlanders taking part, sitting at 18th equal.

All the Northlanders who took part in the championship made the cut.

Round 2

144: Peter Lee (Rotorua) 74 70

148: Sean Masters (Otago) 75 73, Tadhg Campbell (Muriwai) 75 73

149: Matthew McLean (St Andrews) 76 73

150: Michael Birchall (Manawatu) 77 73, Kadin Neho (Whangarei) 76 74, Chang-Gi Lee (North Shore) 74 76

151: Trent Munn (Manawatu) 80 71, Thomas Hardy (Coringa Inc) 77 74, Nick Coxon (Narrows) 76 75

152: Jared Edwards (The Grange) 79 73, Jordan Green (Ashburton) 78 74, Harry Yang (Pupuke) 78 74, Denzel Ieremia (St Andrews of Hamilton (Hamilton)) 78 74, Jacob Roberts (Russley) 77 75, Charlie Hillier (Te Puke) 77 75, Harry Hillier (Te Puke) 75 77

153: Tom Hunt (Australia) 80 73, Jason Yoo (Waitikiri) 80 73, Taylor Gill (Bay of Islands Kerikeri Incorporated) 80 73.