Pearce leads Kiwi charge in Melbourne

Mahal Pearce was a standout as the 15 New Zealand golfers were left in the wake of Tiger Woods on the second day of the Australian Masters in Melbourne today.

Pearce shot a four-under 68 - a score bettered by just two others today at Kingston Heath Golf Club - as he soared to a tie for eighth place on five-under.

He sits five strokes behind world No 1 Woods, who also shot 68 to be an ominous three shots clear of the field at the halfway stage. Tied for second are Australians Greg Chalmers and James Nitties, and American Jason Dufner, who led early today after shooting a 67.

While Pearce is well poised, it was a difficult day for the other New Zealanders, including Doug Holloway, who slipped from fourth to 16th on three-under after shooting a 74.

Only one other New Zealander is under par, with Tim Wilkinson carding a second successive 71 to be two-under in 22nd place.

There is a sizeable gap back to Michael Long on two-over, after shooting 75.

The other 11 New Zealanders missed the cut, including five golfers on four-over - Michael Campbell, Josh Carmichael, Josh Geary, Todd Nicholson and Hamish Robertson.

- NZPA