Lane attracts loyal gallery

Wellington-born Matthew Lane was glad that at least his golfing-mad parents, Bob and Jocelyn, were able to witness one of the best rounds of his career yesterday as he put himself in contention to win the New Zealand Open championship at the Formosa Auckland Country Club. There was hardly anyone else watching his startling progress, apart from the marshalls he passed on each of the windswept holes. Bob Lane was his caddy and getting more excited as Lane moved up the leaderboard, and a proud Jocelyn Lane walked the side of the fairways, loudly applauding her son's fine shots. As the spectators' eyes were on the more recognisable New Zealanders Philip Tataurangi and Michael Campbell, who maintained their challenge, on the other side of the course, 30-year-old Lane confidently went about his business. Beginning the second round on even par, he had seven birdies and four bogeys for a three-under 69, the second-best score of the day, and ended up tied for second in the championship on 141.