Sam Hunt, the rising star of New Zealand golf, will face the established No 1, Gareth Paddison, in the second round of the national matchplay championship at Mt Maunganui this morning.
The 16-year-old Hunt (Rotorua), fresh from his victory in the strokeplay championship, accounted for Logan Holzer (TheGrange) 4 and 3, while the 20-year-old Paddison (Manor Park) tamed Queenslander Matthew Ballard 3 and 2.
In brilliant conditions, again with scarcely a breeze, the New Zealanders reduced the Australian contingent in the championship from seven to two.
It was not that the visitors played badly; they were just outplayed by the locals.
Typical was Eddie Lee's 2 and 1 win over Victorian lefthander Andrew Webster, who was the beaten finalist in this championship at Christchurch last year.
The margin between the two was never more than two shots and from the ninth to the 16th, seven holes were either won or halved with birdies.
Lee is one of four Canterbury golfers in the last 16 after Jay Davies (Templeton) beat fancied Australian Henry Epstein, Matthew Peter (Rangiora) eliminated Brent McEwan (St Clair) and Daniel Lee (Waitikiri) sank a 40-footer on the 18th to beat Bradley Iles (Rotorua), who had finished third in the strokeplay.
Tauranga's George Kinghorn, who lost the strokeplay crown in a playoff with Hunt, continued his impressive form to pip former New Zealand representative John Williamson, of Christchurch, 3 and 2.
He will play the strokeplay champion from last year, Tim Wilkinson (Golf City), this morning.
The only Aucklander to survive, Jay Denton (Manukau), meets the only Waikato player left, Brad Shilton (Te Awamutu).
Andrew Duffin, the Queenslander with Remuera connections, will play Regan MacRae (New Plymouth), while the only other Australian still left, Steven Bowditch, will clash with Daniel Lee.
Otago's Ben Gallie booked a match-up with Manor Park's Jonathan Kane after dispatching Anthony Doyle, of Christchurch, 3 and 2.
Two rounds of matchplay in the Heineken championships will be played today.
The semifinals are over 36 holes tomorrow, with the 36-hole final on Sunday.
