But aggression is going to be to the fore in the final two rounds of the New Zealand Open amid a tight leaderboard and some high scoring.
Former winner Brad Kennedy is the halfway leader on 16 under, after a stunning 62 on the Millbrook course yesterday.
The Queenslander leads by one from first round leader Ben Campbell, who backed up his first round 61 with a solid performance on the Hills, bagging a five-under 67. The New Zealander led for much of yesterday before Kennedy finished with six birdies in the last seven holes to take the lead.
A further two shots back is New Zealander Michael Hendry, who performed well at Millbrook yesterday, and has bagged consecutive 65s.
On another gorgeous day under blue skies and little wind, the ball flew well and there was lots of low scoring. The cut was set at a high four-under.
Kennedy was four behind Campbell at the start of the day but got on a tear in the second nine, playing it in 30.‘‘I had a couple of nice, easy birdies ... and then it was just a matter of just trying to put my foot down and try to attack again,’’ he said.‘‘I just had a good rhythm going and although the greens are quite firm, you can get in the spot you want to be, and they are just so pure here.’’He played with Hendry yesterday and both benefited.‘‘It is a good feeling having your playing partner rolling putts in, as well. I think we had 30 birdie putts between us in 36 holes, so it was a good four ball.‘‘I think it is going to be a different story in the weekend. Hopefully, the wind will get up. I like to play in the wind.‘‘When you’ve got good yardage in your hand and greens like this it feels like you can go at anything.‘‘I have just got to stay aggressive. Anytime you fall back and try to be conservative, a course like this will come and get you.’’The 2011 winner of the Open at Clearwater, Kennedy is coming back from a shoulder injury which had him out for the next two months but some time off and physio had him in tip-top shape.
Campbell was happy with his round Hills yesterday and holed some good putts.‘‘I did not quite hit the ball as good as yesterday but it is always tough backing up a good round like that,’’ he said.A Queenstown resident, the 25-year-old was planning a relaxing barbecue at his flat last night, before the weekend.A New Zealander has not won the Open since 2003 so there is pressure on the New Zealanders to finally clutch the Brodie Breeze Trophy.
Campbell will not die wondering.‘‘Obviously, it is a long way away but to get a Kiwi up there would be good ... you can’t protect your lead, that is for sure. You are going to have to get well into the 20s probably to win this. You’ve just to get out and keep attacking. Look forward and not look back.’’Hendry came home well yesterday, birdieing five holes in the final nine.
The Aucklander said his putting was very good although he did not drive that well.‘‘I have probably made the most of the way I have played ... I think there is room for improvement, especially from tee to green,’’ Hendry said.‘‘I will have to tidy up my long game to be in with a chance ... I think the greens are fantastic and if you give yourself a realistic chance then you’ll hole them.’’Ten players are 10 under or better, while players such as Mark Brown, YE Yang and Grant Waite missed the cut.
