Sep 07, 2018: New Zealand set a record for lowest second-round score to take the top spot of a tightly packed
leader board at 20-under-par 270 through 36 holes by one stroke over Denmark, Thailand and host Ireland.
“It’s fantastic,” said New Zealand captain Bryce Hamer. “We always know that the guys representing New Zealand are going to give it their best anyway. And, the score looks after itself. So, the guys do themselves proud and everyone else proud.
“Watching them through the day, to be honest I think they left a few out there as well. But, the key stuff, 4 to 6 feet, they made a few of those.”
The Kiwis posted a 13-under 131 on the par-72 Montgomerie Course with a 65 from Daniel Hillier, who holed a birdie putt on the 18th for the outright team lead, and a 66 from Denzel Ieremia to jump from fifth place to the lead.
“I saw there was a scoreboard on 16,” said Hillier, who shared medallist honors in the 2018 U.S. Amateur. “I didn’t even want to look at it. I just thought I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to do it. And I managed to finish strong, which was nice.”
Thailand had earlier posted the same score of 131 on the ‘Monty’ with a 65 from World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR™) No. 13. Sadom Kaewkanjana and a 66 from Witchavanon Chothirunrungrueng.
After a morning of rain, temperatures rose and scoring conditions improved, producing a slew of under-par scores and shifts on the scoreboard.
Playing the par-73 O’Meara Course, first-round leader Denmark posted a 7-under 139 (69 from John Axelsen and identical 70s from identical twins Ramus and World No. 7 Nicolai Hjogaard). Home side Ireland posted 9-under 133 on a 68 from No. 10 Robin Dawson and a 69 from Conor Purcell.
Also making significant moves on the scoreboard with matching 13-under scores of 133 were Canada (in fifth at 18 under with a 66 from Hugo Bernard and a 67 from Joey Savoie) and the USA (tied for sixth at 17 under on a 66 from No. 3 Collin Morikawa and a 67 from No. 2 Justin Suh). Spain is tied with the USA and Italy shares eighth with Sweden at 16 under and Austria is 10th at 16 under
IGF Golf Release
