Golf: Kiwis put in strong challenge

SYDNEY - A New Zealand revival saw the Australasian Tour order of merit race open up again as Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley clung to the lead on the second day of the $A1.5 million ($1.85 million) ANZ Championship yesterday.

Baddeley appeared to have the Tour money-winning race sewn up when he charged to a five-shot lead on Thursday, but he stuttered around the Concord Golf Club course in even par yesterday afternoon to stay at nine-under as the field closed.

Leading the charge was surprise New Zealander Richard Lee who, along with compatriot Michael Campbell, shot the equal-best round of the day, a seven-under 64.

Lee - nicknamed Muhammad because his name appears as R Lee on start sheets - said the transformation of fellow Kiwi David Smail from journeyman to tour winner had provided only a modicum of inspiration.

"I don't really think about winning, since he has won it sort of makes you think that you could do it some day, but he's a good player," Lee said.

"I've never really put myself in the situation to win so I've never thought about it.

"You've got to be realistic, there are guys out there who are a lot better players, that's the truth, but you plug along and it could be tomorrow or it could be the next day when it comes together for the week.

"It could be three years away, it could be this week, you never know, you just keep plugging along."

Asked why he played professional golf if he suspected he might never win, Lee blushed and shook his head and said: " don't know, you've got me."

Lee's biggest career win is the Hyundai Masters in Korea in 1995.

Alongside Lee in second place on eight-under was powerful New South Welshman Peter Lonard, while Western Australians Nick O'Hern and Stephen Leaney were another shot back.

In a tie for sixth on six-under was Smail, who nailed four consecutive birdies on holes eight through 11 while staying consistent on the other holes as the winds picked up late in the day.

His playing partner Baddeley didn't handle the conditions so well, with two birdies late in the round enough to put the 19-year-old back in front of Lee.

Some Australian journalists prematurely believed Baddeley would not be caught after the first day but it only took one round for his advantage to dissolve.

Kiwis Michael Long and Campbell, both now on three-under, predicted the tournament was far from over after the first round and were proved right.

Memories of Campbell's first-round 75 were removed yesterday. His 64 was shot in calm morning conditions and consisted of nine birdies, spoiled by two bogeys.

Lee's round was a little more solid, with seven birdies and no blemishes. He has put himself in a strong position early in several tournaments this summer but failed to go on with it.

The order of merit race remained wide open.

Smail, who was third before this week, wants to hold on to that ranking to earn a start in the British Open and the US Tour qualifying school. However, his main rivals Lonard and O'Hern remain ahead of him after two rounds.

Second-placed Campbell is also in danger of falling behind those three but, given his optimistic approach, he is probably more intent on winning this week to defend the money crown.

-NZPA