Golf: Wilkinson and Choi hold Aussies at bay

By BOB PEARCE

Craig Choi prospered in the twilight while Tim Wilkinson shone in one of Auckland's sunniest autumn mornings at the national championships yesterday.

The two New Zealanders saw off a strong Australian challenge to lead the strokeplay championship by one shot at the halfway point.

After 36 holes they are on 139, five under par, with the final 36 holes to be played today on the Auckland Golf Club's Middlemore course.

One shot back is the first-round leader, Richard Moir, and two further back are three other Australians, Chris Campbell, Andrew Duffin and Bronson LaCassie.

Seven of the first 11 players are from across the Tasman.

The left-handed Wilkinson is acknowledged as New Zealand's top amateur and, after a par round of 72 on Monday, he posted a 67 in perfect conditions early yesterday.

His round was set alight by an eagle on the 459m fourth and he had birdies on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 18th holes. His only blemish was a bogey on the 10th.

The 23-year-old from Palmerston North won the strokeplay title at Christchurch in 2000 and his consistent record suggests he will be difficult to beat today.

Choi, a 22-year-old from the Waitikiri Club in Christchurch, posted a 69 to go with his opening 70 at the end of the day when the course was close to darkness.

The Canterbury representative had a three-putt bogey on the third hole and birdies on the fourth, 11th, 12th and 17th.

On the last hole he missed a birdie putt of under 2m which would have given him the outright lead.

Moir, who led by two shots overnight, was three over after two holes yesterday, but rescued his round of 73 by birdying the last three holes.

Most of those around the lead after the first round consolidated their positions yesterday, with local member Chris Johns providing one of the better stories.

The former champion shot a 75 to go with his opening 71, despite spending time in hospital on Monday evening on an intravenous drip for treatment of cellulitis in his left elbow.

The cut for the final 36 holes came at 153, nine over par.

There were several prominent casualties, including Richard Hislop, the player of the tournament at the Tower event last year, and Logan Holzer, the Auckland No 1 at that event.

Last year's strokeplay champion, 17-year-old Sam Hunt of Rotorua, recovered from an opening 80 with a 72 to scrape in by one shot. Even more remarkable was the effort of Tony Riley from Maungakiekie, who opened with an 82 but stormed back with 69 yesterday.

The field of 66 today - Glenn Millin of Te Awamutu withdrew with injury - will play for the strokeplay title. The top 32 after 72 holes qualify for the matchplay, which starts tomorrow and finishes with a 36-hole final on Sunday.