Golfer Pilkadaris takes lead at New Zealand Open

Australias Terry Pilkadaris carded a second round eight-under-par 64 to take a one-shot lead at the New Zealand Open golf tournament here on Friday.

The three-time Asian Tour winner backed up his opening round 64 at the Millbrook Resort with another similar effort on the second day to enjoy the outright lead with a two-day total of 15-under-par 128.

Australians dominated the leaderboard with Daniel Nisbet and Callan O'Reilly sharing the second place with identical totals of 129.

O'Reilly, who finished tied-15th at the New Zealand Open last year, inked his name into the record books when he posted a sensational 61 to set a new course record.

Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Travis Smyth secured fourth place with a 67 while overnight co-leader Jarin Todd of the United States slipped to a share of eighth place following a 70.

Thailand's Pavit Tangkamolprasert will head into the weekend rounds five shots back of Pikadaris after he signed for a 67 to take a share of 16th place that also included Scotland's Simon Yates and Paul Peterson of the United States.

The weekend cut was set at seven-under-par which is also the lowest cut on the Asian Tour.

--IANS

ajb/vm