Leader Murray taking measured approach

Zach Murray
Zach Murray
Young Victorian Zach Murray is a hunted man.

Murray (21), just into his baby steps as a professional, holds a five-shot lead after the second round of the New Zealand Open at Millbrook and The Hills yesterday.

Five shots may sound a lot and the tall Australian has not missed a trick in his first two rounds.

But the course - and the final two rounds will be played at The Hills - is offering plenty of chances and it is a quality pack eyeing up Murray.

Chasing the tall right-hander is a wide group of players. Japanese player Ryuko Tokimatsu sits on 10-under after he hit a 2-under 69 at Millbrook.

There are five quality players at 9-under, including two New Zealanders in Ryan Fox and Harry Bateman.

Murray was taking a measured approach to the last two days. An eagle on the first hole was a real bonus yesterday.

"There was a little bit pressure on today being the leader. I was pretty nervous on the first tee but eagle, birdie on the first two holes settled the nerves. Then I just holed some crucial six and seven footers [1.8m and 2.1m] for par,'' he said.

"I didn't feel too much pressure. Just those natural nerves from leading, really.

"You can dare to dream but it does not help the cause too much. But I'm playing well.

"There are going to be times when I'm going to be in trouble ... I have just got to play the same game plan off the tee.''

Fox has been getting over jet lag after returning to Queenstown from playing in Mexico last weekend. He went out and hit 6-under yesterday on The Hills, as his putter got hot for a period in the back nine.

"I thought it was pretty tough out there so to hit 6-under and give myself a chance I've got to be happy about,'' he said.

"It felt like we played every hole in a cross wind today ... it was tricky enough. If you hit bad shots you got punished and I think that is the sign of a good golf course.''

He said the task over the weekend was simple - just to hit some good shots.

"I found something on the range last night and hit some really good shots today. It did not work so well on the tee and stayed out of trouble for the most of it. I putted well all day.''

Fox bogeyed the 17th but made amends on the final hole with a birdie to get himself back in the race.

He said a good sleep on Thursday night gave him a real help.

The key for the next two days was to stay in the contest.

"The weather from what I've heard is going to be pretty good and obviously shooting low is the key. Just go out and make as many birdies as possible. I have played pretty nicely so would like to carry that on and roll in some putts.

"Then hopefully be in the contest Sunday afternoon and everything can go from there.''

Josh Geary is the next-best New Zealander, back on 7-under.

The cut was at 3-under and notable players to miss the cut include defending champion Daniel Nisbet, 2017 winner Michael Hendry, Michael Long and YE Yang (all at 1-under).

The returning Michael Campbell was at 3-under at one stage yesterday at Millbrook but a triple bogey on the 12th and a double bogey three holes later sealed his fate, as he departed on 2-over.

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