Top qualifier Terry Kim will play Harry Smith while Connor Ross will take on Joseph Hancock in the semifinals of the Otago schools championship on Chisholm Links this morning.
Kim was pushed by MacKenzie Gibson yesterday afternoon and trailed after 12 holes, but Kim won 13 and 14 to turn the tables, eventually winning on the 17th green.
Smith, the leader on the junior order of merit series, had an interesting day, squeaking home over Sam Ballantyne who shot a 3-over par 74 in the morning round.
The pair were tied after 18 holes but Smith won the playoff hole when Ballantyne's drive was blocked by a grove of trees.
In the afternoon, Smith had a comfortable win over Cameron Botting, finishing the match with five holes to spare.
Many of the younger golfers played above themselves. Callum White (12) progressed to the second round after beating Abigael Crawford.
But Otago men's No 8 Connor Ross was too strong for White in the afternoon, winning on the 13th green.
For the second year in this event, Waikouaiti schoolboy Joseph Hancock beat Zain Pennycook (Lower Waitaki) in the first round in a tight tussle which finished on the final green.
In the afternoon, Hancock (13) took another Oamaru scalp, winning the final hole to eliminate Scott Clark 2-up.
