Murray powers into the lead

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Asian Tour Qualifying school graduate Zach Murray continued his solid form by signing for a seven-under-par 65 at The Hills to seize the outright lead by five shots at the halfway stage of the 100th New Zealand Open on Friday.

The 21-year-old Australian, who held a share of the overnight lead, stormed off the blocks quickly with an eagle-birdie start before adding five more birdies against a bogey to lead on 15-under-par 128 in the NZ$1,250,000 (approx. US$850,000) event.

Overnight co-leader Ryuko Tokimatsu, the highest-ranked Japanese player in the field this week, returned with a two-under-par 69 at Millbrook Resort to take second place at the prestigious event, that is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, who lifted his maiden Asian Tour title in Australia a fortnight ago, raised the local hopes after carding a 66 at The Hills. He trails by six shots in third place together with a host of players that included past champions Brad Kennedy and Dimitrios Papadatos of Australia, who posted respective rounds of 63 and 66 respectively at Millbrook Resort.

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin made his first career ace en-route to a 68 at Millbrook Resort to tie in ninth place on 136 with five other players, including compatriot Pavit Tangkamolprasert who matched his Poom’s efforts of the day with a 68 on the same course.

A total of three hole-in-ones were recorded on an eventful day at the New Zealand Open. Poom and Damien Jordan of Australia holed out on the second hole at Millbrook Resort while Natipong Srithong of Thailand aced the 16th hole at The Hills.

A total of 152 professionals and 152 amateurs took part in the event where the first two rounds were alternated between the par-71 course at Millbrook Resort and the par-72 course at The Hills.

The halfway cut was set at three-under-par 140 and a total of 62 players, ranked inside top-60 and ties, will go on to compete in the final two rounds at The Hills.

The top-40 Pro-Am teams will also advance to round three of the Pro-Am championship at The Hills.

Players’ quotes:

Zach Murray (Aus) – Second round 65 (-7) - The Hills, Total 128 (-15):'Probably today was even better than yesterday with more pressure because I was leading and I was pretty nervous on the first tee. Obviously I got off to a good start with eagle-birdie which settled the nerves and helped a lot.

I holed some six-seven footers for pars early on and calmed down. Iplayed very solid until the last tee shot on 18 which I misjudged. I thought I would lay up from 80m and tried to get up and down which I did.

I did not feel too much pressure. I slept like a baby last night. It was more from those natural nerves from leading a tournament.

I like The Hills. I feel it suits me off the tee a little better than Millbrook. I am reading the greens well this week sand rolling the putts nicely.

The key today was set up by the start to be four-under after six. I just had to play smart golf from there and keep giving myself chances on the back-nine.

You can dare to dream about (winning this event) but it does not help the cause too much. Obviously you know what is at the end of the four days but I am playing well. There are going to be times where I am in a little bit of trouble – like on the last – with a four or five shot lead I just did not have to do anything silly. I think that is a nice way to play golf without too much pressure and playing free golf.'

Ryuko Tokimatsu (Jpn) – Second round 69 (-2) – Millbrook Resort, Total 133 (-10): 'I was able to make some putts today. I kept the momentum going as well. I thought my shots were better too. This is my second time playing in the New Zealand Open. I told myself I need to come here if I have the opportunity because I don’t have much chance to play in the world.

The courses here in New Zealand are very different from Japan. But I love playing here and the courses suit my eyes. I will do my best again tomorrow and see how it goes.'

Brad Kennedy (Aus) – Second round 63 (-8) – Millbrook Resort, Total 134 (-9): 'It was a combination of doing what I needed to do but also being rewarded for hitting good shots. I putted brilliantly today, I putted poorly yesterday so was able to turn that around after giving myself a talking to last night.

I said it wasn’t good enough and if I wanted to get myself into contention I had to play better and I managed to do that today.'

Dimitrios Papadatos (Aus) – Second round 66 (-5) – Millbrook Resort, Total 134 (-9): 'I was in doubt about turning up yesterday morning so very happy to be out here. I have a niggling wrist injury – probably caused by too many one-hand push-ups. It flared up over the last four or five days. I had to stop after two holes in the practice round on Wednesday so it was not looking very good.

I feel it more when I’m going through the motions in my swing. This morning, it was a little bit sore in the cold but pretty good once the weather warmed up and when the birdies started rocking up.

I got some dry needle treatment and taking anti-inflammatories which help – and I will get some more treatment today and hopefully it will hold out for the next two days.

I hit it pretty solid both days and I was very consistent with a lot of greens and I stuck to the game plan.

I thought I would not play when I was at the Champions Dinner on Wednesday night and I was seeing all the names and all the history behind it – then there is a bit more on the line this week so winning for a second time would be pretty special.'

Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) – Second round 68 (-3) – Millbrook Resort, Total 136 (-7): 'It was really cold this morning and I couldn’t really feel anything. I had a rough start too. I was two-over after eight holes. The birdie on ninth hole was the turning point for me today. I couldn’t make any putts before that.

I almost holed my second shot on the ninth. I hit it from about 115 yards to about two feet. I would think that was my best birdie today. It gave me a lot of confidence heading tothe back nine where I played well too. Things got better on the back-nine after the sun came out.

I played well here last year. I feel confident coming back here. I like the pro-am format too. Keeps me relaxed. The goal this year is to win again. It has been three years. I think if I can continue to play well over the next two days and get lucky, I can do it.

I will try to stay calm, relaxed and don’t try to approach on the right side of the pins so that I can give myself easy birdie chances. The Hills is not that hard. It suits my eyes better. I like The Hills more.'

Poom Saksansin (Tha) – Second round 68 (-3) – Millbrook Resort, Total 136 (-7): 'I played alright today. I thought I was very lucky. I am very happy to make my first hole-in-one in a professional tournament. I actually like both courses but now that I made my first ace at the Millbrook Resort, I like Millbrook more.

I didn’t play as well as I did yesterday but overall, it was still alright. I made a long putt for par on the 14th hole and chipped in on my last hole ninth for birdie which was nice.'