Golf: Paddison leads Wairakei Open

Kiwi Gareth Paddison tees off. Photo / Getty Images

Touring professional Gareth Paddison fired his second straight five-under 67 to grab a slender lead after the third round of the weather-plagued Wairakei Open in Taupo today.

The left-hander, who has played the last eight years in Europe and Asia, last played at the Wairakei International course in his amateur days, representing New Zealand at the Southern Cross Cup in 2001.

Meanwhile, brilliant 13-year-old Lydia Ko bagged a three-under 69 in tough conditions to win the women's 54-hole competition by a whopping 11 shots from fellow-national representative Emily Perry.

Overnight rain forced a delay to the start of play, with half the field forced to complete their second rounds today at noon. Sixty-one men made the cut of nine-over 153 for the final two rounds.

Organisers opted for a shotgun third round to give them the chance of completing the third round, with players finishing in fading light despite a further 45 minutes lost for rain.

Paddison moved to eight-under par 208 to take a one-shot lead into tomorrow's final round over previous leader Jared Pender, the professional from Tauranga, who shot a three-under 69, his third round in red figures.

The amateur lead is held by Wellington-based players Nick Gillespie and James Betts in a share of third place on two-under 214.

Manawatu amateur Josh Munn shot a third round 73 to be in fifth place on one-under 215, a shot ahead of a trio of Tauranga's Ben Taylor and professionals Troy Ropiha of Taupo and Michael Hendry of North Harbour on even-par 216.

Paddison shot five birdies without blemish in his five-under 67 this morning. The left-hander, playing in his first Charles Tour event, turned even par this afternoon before coming home in 31 with five birdies in an outstanding display that included a 45 minute suspension of play.

Pender, in his first tournament in four months, made a strong start with four birdies and one bogey in his first nine holes before mixing two birdies with two dropped shots coming home.

The women's contest proved a one-horse race, with Ko of Gulf Harbour making four birdies with one bogey in a superb display. The 13-year-old was using the tournament to prepare for next month's Espirito Santo world teams championship.

Perry of Lochiel, the leading amateur in last year's Charles Tour, made four birdies in her first 10 holes but back-to-back bogeys ended any hope of closing the gap on the leader.

- NZPA