Two-time Jennian Homes Charles Tour champion, Daniel Pearce has shown his class to produce rounds of 66, 64 and 66 (par 70) to now lead the Barfoot & Thompson Akarana Open by two shots entering the final round tomorrow.
Even with his two-shot advantage, Pearce knows he cant be complacent
with defending champion Gareth Paddison flying into contention on moving day with a round of six-under, 64.
Pearces most recent win was at the Ngamotu Classic late last year, which means this would be back to back titles on the national circuit for the 29-year-old.
"I havent played overly well here in the past, but Im playing some really good golf at the moment and just hoping I can do some of the same tomorrow," said Pearce.
Although he finds himself at the top of the leaderboard, it wasnt always easy for the Hawkes Bay professional who couldnt control his driver throughout the day.
"Today could be the worst day Ive ever had with my driver. It couldnt have gone much worse off the tee until the final hole which was fun, so I was lucky that my short game was on point.
Its exciting to be leading, but more importantly playing well with three Jennian Homes Charles Tour events in a row, so hopefully this hint of form can continue."
It was this time last year when Paddison was near career best form as he claimed both the Akarana Open and Muriwai Open in consecutive weeks before claiming the season points race to win the Jennian Homes Trophy. He will be hot in pursuit of Pearce come tomorrow morning when the lead group tees off at 10:20am.
Overnight leader Jang Hyun Lee impressed once again today with seven birdies, but this was sadly mixed with a quadruple-bogey (eight) on the par four 14th which cost him dearly down the stretch. He also made a double-bogey on the eighth hole showing that his round of one-over was an amazing one.
Kevin Koong and Dongwoo Kang continued their form this week to share third place, just three strokes off the lead. Koong, who is starting to show impressive consistency, looks to be enjoying a taste of being in contention alongside the experience on Kang.
FULL LEADERBOARD
Wellingtons Darae Chung made a positive move in the womens field to now be in a tie with overnight leader Vivian Lu at four-under par entering the final day.
Her round of one-under has lifted her from third place as others faulted to now have a chance to win her maiden title on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.
At the age of just 13, Chung is impressive both on and off the course as she spoke with huge majority and calmness ahead of the biggest round of her career.
"Its the first time [being in contention] since I have started playing in Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, so Im pretty excited. Last time I played here I missed the cut, so its nice to be in the lead and Im pretty nervous, but also excited," smiled Chung.
"I just have to focus on my game and hopefully I can continue putting well. Its a proud tournament here at Akarana, so I guess if I do get the win tomorrow it will be good experience and even if I dont, it will still be good for me if I try my best."
Co-leader Lu has remained at the top for all three days, but now finds herself in a dual with Chung and her fellow Toro Interprovincial teammate Brittney Dryland who is just two behind, making for a mouth-watering finish.
FULL LEADERBOARD
Jennian Homes Charles Tour
Barfoot & Thompson Akarana Open
Womens Round Two Scores (Par 72)
7 April 2018
212 Darae Chung (Shandon) 73 68 71, Vivian Lu (Royal Auckland and Grange) 65 73 74
214 Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 70 70 74
215 Caitlin Maurice (Omokoroa) 78 69 68
218 Miree Jung (Titirangi) 72 77 69, Belinda May (Mangawhai) 73 75 70, Jenna Hunter (P) 74 73 71
219 Jessica Huang (Pakuranga) 75 75 69
223 Caryn Khoo (Pakuranga) 78 70 75
224 Yeonsoo Son (North Shore) 76 73 75
225 Fiona Xu (Akarana) 74 74 77
228 Anna An (Muriwai) 75 76 77
Jennian Homes Charles Tour
Barfoot & Thompson Akarana Open
Mens Round Two Scores (Par 70)
7 April 2018
196 Daniel Pearce (PGA New Zealand) 66 64 66
198 Gareth Paddison (PGA New Zealand) 69 65 64
199 Kevin Koong (Muriwai) 66 67 66, Dongwoo Kang (PGA New Zealand) 67 63 69
200 Brad Shilton (Muriwai) 64 69 67, Jang Hyun Lee (Maungakiekie) 68 61 71
201 Josh Geary (PGA New Zealand) 64 70 67
202 Campbell Rawson (PGA New Zealand) 72 68 62, Mark Brown (PGA New Zealand) 69 67 66, Ryan Chisnall (PGA New Zealand) 68 66 68
205 Victor Janin (Rotorua) 69 69 67, James Anstiss (PGA New Zealand) 72 63 70, Harry Bateman (Muriwai) 65 70 70
206 Brad Hayward (New Plymouth Inc.) 69 69 68, Matthew McLean (Harewood) 67 70 69, Michael Hendry (PGA New Zealand) 65 70 71, Jordan Loof (Akarana) 67 67 72
207 Joshua Munn (PGA New Zealand) 68 73 66, Kwanghue Kim (Akarana) 73 67 67, Grant Moorhead (PGA New Zealand) 70 69 68, Sam An (Titirangi) 67 72 68, Chang Gi Lee (PGA New Zealand) 71 67 69, Richard Lee (PGA New Zealand) 66 68 73
208 Daniel Hillier (Manor Park Golf Sanctuary) 74 68 66, Tae Koh (Windross Farm Golf Course) 70 71 67, Tom Parker (Christchurch) 70 70 68, Hayden Beard (Mt Maunganui) 69 71 68, David Smail (PGA New Zealand) 69 69 70
209 Pieter Zwart (PGA New Zealand) 73 70 66, Wesley Jeon (Whitford Park) 72 70 67, Kerry Mountcastle (Masterton) 71 70 68, Oscar Cadenhead (PGA New Zealand) 73 67 69, Dale Williamson (PGA New Zealand) 73 65 71, James Hydes (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 69 69 71, Lachie McDonald (Marton) 70 67 72, Jake Lee (Muriwai) 69 68 72, Woonchul Na (PGA New Zealand) 71 64 74
210 Troy Ropiha (PGA New Zealand) 71 69 70, Jared Edwards (Royal Auckland and Grange) 68 71 71
211 Mark Hutson (Muriwai) 69 73 69, Douglas Holloway (PGA New Zealand) 68 69 74
212 Scott Erdmann (P, United States) 73 69 70
213 Charlie Smail (Walton) 72 73 68, Luke Brown (Muriwai) 74 68 71, Reid Perry (Manawatu) 73 69 71, Connor Barker (Remuera) 72 70 71, Stephen Liu (Pakuranga) 72 69 72
214 Jared Pender (Te Puke) 74 70 70, Hoje Kang (Tauranga) 73 70 71, Jordan Woodall (Cambridge) 68 74 72, Kit Bittle (Wainui) 71 70 73, Trevor Marshall (PGA New Zealand) 69 71 74
215 Nick Loach (PGA New Zealand) 72 69 74, Mason Lee (Royal Auckland and Grange) 69 71 75
216 Taylor Gill (Bay of Islands Kerikeri Inc.) 72 73 71
217 Wonjae Heo (Akarana) 74 70 73
218 Kadin Neho (Muriwai) 72 69 77
219 Mako Thompson (Maraenui) 67 75 77
220 Archie Gothard (Royal Auckland and Grange) 78 67 75, Joshua Bernhard Rookes (Waitemata) 75 68 77
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ
Pearce pounces at Akarana Open
Two-time Jennian Homes Charles Tour champion, Daniel Pearce has shown his class to produce rounds of 66, 64 and 66 (par 70) to now lead the Barfoot & Thompson Akarana Open by two shots entering the final round tomorrow.
Even with his two-shot advantage, Pearce knows he cant be complacent
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