Golf: Carmichael leads Taranaki Open

Defending champion Joshua Carmichael is the leader at the halfway stage of the Taranaki Energy Open on the Charles Tour after a one under par 71 in cool and blustery winds at the New Plymouth Golf Club.

The 30-year-old North Harbour player, who last year managed a breakthrough win at Ngamotu, is one of only two professionals to have carded two sub-par rounds (with David Klein who is fifth) to establish a one shot lead over Jared Pender (66), Ryan Fox (66) and Grant Moorhead (72).

Overnight joint leader Mark Brown struggled on day two with a three over par 75, which included a triple bogey at the par four 13th hole, to drop back to a share of ninth place.

Carmichael made the turn at even par after a birdie at the third and bogey at the fourth.

He made a birdie at the 11th before a costly double bogey at the 15th. He was happy to rally and birdie two of the three final holes to post two rounds under par in winds that gusted to 40km per hour at times.

"It was tough, we got the full brunt of it today," said the one-time winner on the Charles Tour.

"The wind stayed with us for the whole round. I managed to get it around. I putted really well. I hit it ok but just managed my game really well."

In the women's division, defending champion Emily Perry (Lochiel) carded a six over par 78 to establish a two shot lead Emma Clayton heading into the third round.