Bateman, Wilkinson carrying New Zealand’s weekend hopes

THE New Zealand challenge faded somewhat in Queenstown yesterday and all hopes may rest on the shoulders of Harry Bateman and Tim Wilkinson.

Bateman, who was the leading New Zealander after the first round, backed up his 64 of Thursday on Millbrook with a 67 at The Hills.

Bateman came home well with an eagle on his 17th hole at The Hills which put him up in a tie for fifth, sitting on 12underpar.

Bateman (26) had a muddling start with a couple of bogeys in his first nine holes but he recovered and is the leading home threat.

Wilkinson shot a 65 at The Hills yesterday to go with his 67 at Millbrook on Thursday and sits on 11under, just four shots from the leader.

He is keen to kick on in what is a rare appearance in this country.

He played the NZPGA last week and was playing at his national Open for the first time in 15 years.

Wilkinson (39) had spent much of the past decade playing in the United States, although he does not have a card on the PGA tour or lowertier tours for the coming year.

He is enjoying his time back in New Zealand.

‘‘I had a bad round first up last week but since then I have had a really good run. I’m 27under since then, which is pretty good.’’

The lefthander said yesterday’s round was a mixture.

‘‘I felt like I have played pretty well but not as well as I would have liked. I have not hit it as well as I have in the past couple of months.

‘‘The front nine was good. I played pretty solidly and made some nice putts. Breaking 30 is always good and then the back nine really left a few out there.’’

The nextbest New Zealanders are back at 9under.

Te Puke’s Jared Pender shot a 65 yesterday at Millbrook.

He came home well with an eagle and three birdies on the back nine and is still usefully placed.

Youngster Nick Voke at one stage was looking handy but he dropped two shots in his last three holes on The Hills which had him slip back to 9under, the same score as Pender.

Wellington amateur Daniel Hiller hit a 65 at The Hills and is also on 9under.

Queenstown’s Ben Campbell hit a 67 yesterday at The Hills to be onunder.

With the cut at 7 under, some decent New Zealand talent will not be playing at the weekend.

Casualties included Steven Alker, Michael Long, David Smail and Ryan Chisnall and defending champion Michael Hendry.

Ryan Fox eagled the 17th but then bogeyed the 18th to finish at 6under, missing out.