Vic Open reaches first cut at 13th Beach

THE first cut has been made at this year’s Vic Open at 13^thBeach Golf Club in Barwon Heads, setting up a thrilling weekend of golf.

New Zealanders were well-represented ahead of the cut with Nick Voke soaring to a 4 under 68 with no bogeys on the Creek Course, jumping up to 9 under overall and holding a one-shot lead in the men’s tournament.

Overnight leader and Ocean Grove resident Andrew Martin (74) fell off the pace on Day Two, while young Queensland amateur Billy Dowling, Travis Smyth (NSW) and Jack Munro (Queensland), made their way to 8 under.

Munro had a share of the lead before a double-bogey on the Par-3 15^th, ending the day with a 68.

It’s been a wonderful period for New Zealanders in recent weeks on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, with Christchurch’s Kazuma Kobori winning the past two tournaments on Tour.

Voke, the clubhouse leader, said Kobori’s sensational performance – and wins by the likes of Lydia Ko and Steve Alker in America – were driving the other Kiwis forward.

“Absolutely. I think we’re not doing justice by saying ‘two in a row’.

“I think Kazuma’s last six months have been unbelievable – winning Eisenhower (the world amateur), the Western Amateur. That was unbelievable.

“It’s nice to see a guy kick on like that. Any success for New Zealanders on the world stage, Steve Alker, Lydia Ko… unbelievable. We’re very proud of that.”

In the women’s Open, Korea’s Min A Yoon and Japan’s Shina Yanazawa produced rounds of 68 apiece to tally 7 under overall, taking the lead off Queensland’s overnight leader Karis Davidson (73).

Yoon missed the cut last week at Rosebud as defending champion and is pleased to have turned her form around.

“I’m glad to have finished the round game well today, overall to be under-par is better than last week,” Yoon said.

“When I come to Australia it’s so comfortable. I have a lot of good memories here.”

Korea’s world No.15 Jiyai Shin (70) is lurking at 4 under, while another former world No.1, Karrie Webb, made it through to the third round at +5.

American Jennifer Chang jumped more than 20 places in the women’s field with a 69 giving her a place inside the top 10.

A second cut will be made following tomorrow’s (Saturday,February 3) play (54 holes).

Men’s Leaderboard
1. Nick Voke (-9)
2. Billy Dowling (-8)
– Travis Smyth (-8)
– Jack Munro (-8)
5. Jake Hughes (-7)
– Kade McBride (-7)
– Christopher Fan (-7)
– Caleb Bolavina (-7)
9. Tyler Wood (-6)
– Michael Wright (-6)

Women’s Leaderboard
1. Min A Yoon (-7)
– Shina Kanazawa (-7)
3. Karis Davidson (-6)
4. Shannon Tan (-5)
5. Kylie Henry (-4)
– Jiyai Shin (-4)
7. Fiona Xu (-3)
– Ashley Lau (-3)
9. Jennifer Chang (-2)
– Cholcheva Wongras (-2)

For full leaderboards, click HERE