A brilliant five-under par 67 by Sarah Nicholson has jumped the New Zealand golf team up to seventh place going into the final round of the world amateur championship in South Africa.
They share seventh place with Spain, England and Chinese Taipei on three-under after 54 holes, with the chance
to gain their best finish at the Espirito Santo Trophy since they were third in 1992.
Hosts South Africa will take a four shot lead into the final round on 14-under from defending champions Sweden.
Germany are third on nine-under, a shot ahead of France with Japan in fifth on six-under. Favourites USA jumped to sixth place on four-under, one shot ahead of the quartet including New Zealand.
The Kiwis and Nicholson in particular, responded to the outstanding golf from playing partners USA and Spain with the three countries collectively firing a remarkable 17-under par for the round at the Stellenbosch course today.
"We were thrilled with the effort today. It was absolutely awesome," NZ coach Shelley Duncan said.
"Today we were slower out of the blocks but we came home strong and held our gains."
Duncan said the team talked about the disappointments of giving shots back in the closing holes over the first two rounds.
"They tried too hard and got ahead of themselves on the scoreboard. We talked about the need for them to stay in the present and to let the golf score take care of itself. They just concentrated on the shots and let the results happen."
Nicholson led the way for the Kiwis with a superb 67 punctuated with birdies at the 6th, 8th and 12th holes and a brilliant eagle at the par-5 14th.
"It was great that Sarah was able to produce the type of round that she is capable of. She got a good start and was just superb."
"As a team we got to three-under and then Sarah's eagle pushed it to five under.
"The good thing is that we stayed there until the end. In fact we could have been better. Sharon Ahn putted for birdie on each of the last six holes and had three or four good putts slide by."
The 15-year-old Ahn produced another solid even-par 72 with two birdies and two bogies, while Natasha Krishna shot the non-counting two-over 74.
Ahn and Nicholson are now on level par in a share of 17th place on the individual rankings.
The New Zealanders tee off just before midnight (NZ time) in the final round tonight on the De Zalze course, paired with Spain and England.
- NZPA
Golf: Nicholson blazes trail for New Zealand
A brilliant five-under par 67 by Sarah Nicholson has jumped the New Zealand golf team up to seventh place going into the final round of the world amateur championship in South Africa.
They share seventh place with Spain, England and Chinese Taipei on three-under after 54 holes, with the chance
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