SYDNEY - New Zealand golfer Gareth Paddison took the outright lead from a huge field after the second round of the Australian amateur championships in Melbourne yesterday.
A two-under 70 on the Metropolitan course, after his opening-round 65 at Kingston Heath, took the stylish left-hander to seven-under, one stroke clear of
Queensland's Steve Bowditch and two ahead of Western Australian Michael Sim.
Paddison, who was runner-up at the Riversdale Cup amateur tournament in Melbourne last week, was not quite as precise yesterday, but still did enough to lead a championship which has a field of 300.
Only 16 were under par at the halfway stage.
The field has been cut to 100, and Paddison and Bowditch will be the last pair away at the Metropolitan today.
The final round will be played at Kingston Heath tomorrow.
Nine of the 22 New Zealanders made the cut of six-over. Seven of them were from the eight-strong official New Zealand team.
The only team member to miss out was Brad Shilton on eight-over.
Eddie Lee shared 14th place on two-under 142, with Craig Choi a further two shots back.
Besides winning, the main goal for the New Zealanders is to finish in the top 32 which will give them a place in the matchplay championship starting on Friday.
- NZPA
