Macleans College continues to prove they are the golfing school to beat in New Zealand, taking out the New Zealand Boys’ Secondary Schools Championship for the third time in the last four events, while Kings College took out the girls’ event comfortably.
The Macleans College side of Stephen Liu, Daniel Ko and Samuel Ding combined for four-under-par to win by 11 shots over St Peters. Kings College took out the bronze.
The Macleans team was in control for the majority of the event and held the overnight lead courtesy of Liu’s three under 68 and Ko’s one-under 70. In today’s final round, they sealed the deal with Liu’s two over 73 and Ko’s three under 68.
Kings College’s girls team began the final round in second behind the tournament favourite Pinehurst. On the opening day, Rianne Li and Amy Han had the counting scores, shooting 74 and 75. Today, Grace Zhan chimed in, carding an even-par 73, which was matched by Amy Han.
They beat Pinehurst by 10 strokes after an incredible second day at Pukekohe Golf Club.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Age Group Championships are beginning to heat up as it heads into tomorrow’s final round.
Stephen Liu’s first two rounds are good enough to hold a two-stroke lead in the under 19 boys’ division over Ryan Courtney (St Peters School) at one-under-par. Liu made four bogeys and a couple of birdies to remain in front.
Zack Swanwick (Taradale High School) is in third at four-over.
In the under 19 girls’ division, Amy Im (Rangitoto College) has retained her lead, shooting rounds of 70 and 74 to be two under and three in front.
She made two birdies and a bogey in her front nine today to make the turn in one under to be well in front. However, Im came back to the chasers after seven pars and a couple of bogeys coming home to sign for a second round of one over.
Fellow North Harbour teammate and returning Espirito Santo Trophy team member Eunseo Choi (Pinehurst School) sits in second at one-over.
Amy Han occupies third a shot further back.
Clearwater’s Cooper Moore (St Bedes) is playing some of the week’s best golf, taking a two-shot lead at seven-under-par to lead going into the final round of the boys’ under 16s.
Moore shot 65 and 70 to have his nose in front of Remuera’s Ryan Xie (Kings College), who is five-under.
After his sizzling opening round, which included six birdies and an eagle, he made three birdies and a couple of bogeys in round two.
Daniel Ko (Macleans College) is in third.
Finally, North Shore’s Aya Esaki (ACG Parnell College) also retains her lead in the under 16 girls’ division.
She shot 68 and 76 to finish two-under and take a four-shot lead over Rianne Li (Kings College) and Aroha Minhinnick (Marlborough Girls College), who are two over par.
Play gets underway at 7.30 tomorrow morning.
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