Kiwi golfers in contention at Australian amateur

New Zealand has three golfers in the top six after two rounds of the Australian women's strokeplay championship in Perth.

National champion Cecilia Cho fired a three-under par 69 to climb to a share of the lead with Yi Chen Liu (Taiwan) on one-under par 143 at Cottesloe Golf Club.

They have a one shot lead over Northland's Caroline Bon, the overnight leader, who shot a one-over 73 today to share third place on even par 144 with Justine Lee (New South Wales) who followed her opening 77 with the low-round five-under 67.

South Island champion Zoe Brake (Whakatane) also fired a strong three-under 69 to move to sixth place on two-over.

Nelson's Lisa Wright will need a change of fortunes if she is to make the top 32 players after 72 holes to contest the matchplay phase after shooting 80 today to be on 15-over.

The men's strokeplay competition got underway today, with Ben Campbell (Masterton) and Nick Gillespie (Hastings) leading the way for the New Zealanders, both with even par 72. Campbell drove the ball accurately and putted well without any favours today while North Island champion Gillespie fought back from a triple bogey eight for his 72.

Ryan Fox (Auckland) and Mathew Perry (Hamilton) shot one-over 73, with Andrew Stewart (Tauranga) 76 and Sean Riordan (Takaka) 81. Fox was in red figures until two late three putts, although he made a superb eagle after driving the par-4 16th, while Perry had a solid round with 14 straight pars.

The men's competition has attracted 240 players from Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, playing on Lake Karrinyup and Mt Lawler courses.

- NZPA