\u201cIt feels good. Obviously, there\u2019s a long way to go. Still 36 holes to play, so I\u2019ll just do my best, keep sticking to my processes and we\u2019ll see how the result goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yuki Miya, of New Zealan,d during Round 2 of the 105th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown. Photo \/ Photosport, Chris Symes <\/p>\n
At 20 years of age Miya is young but he\u2019s also mature. He managed to bounce back after a double bogey in his second round and twice backed off his shot on his final hole. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think I heard a hole in one. Was it a hole in one?\u201d <\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t but the well-lubricated crowd that surrounds the tee and green of what will be the final hole on Sunday needs little to get excited about. After the noise settled, Miya stepped up and stuck his wedge shot within three feet and then made the birdie putt. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was struggling all day from 90 to 110 around that distance, so it was good to do that on the last hole and put on a good show for everyone watching.<\/p>\n
Millbrook Resort is set up perfectly for the spectators at the 105th NZ Golf Open. Photo \/ Mike Thorpe<\/p>\n
If Miya can turn his lead into a win he\u2019ll be the first amateur to lift the Brodie Breeze trophy since Jake Higginbotton (Aus) in 2012. He\u2019d be the first Kiwi amateur since Bob Charles in 1954. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs an amateur here, I\u2019m not expecting too much. I\u2019m not playing for money, so it definitely takes some pressure off of me,\u201d says Miya. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s had a win against professionals before \u2013 on the Charles Tour. <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, I haven\u2019t played in a field as strong as this one in a pro tournament, but it still gives me confidence and to be up in the lead after 36 holes is enough confidence for me to feel like I can win.\u201d <\/p>\n
He says he struggled to sleep last night after an electric opening round that was suspended just after 8pm. He should sleep well tonight after a day that included 23 holes of golf. <\/p>\n
In a similar boat is Dan Hillier. The pre-tournament favourite is one shot back from Miya on 11-under for a share of second with Australian Travis Smyth. Kiwi pro Kerry Mountcastle is one shot further back.<\/p>\n
The gallery follows Daniel Hillier during his second round at the NZ Golf Open.<\/p>\n
Hillier followed his opening round of 63 (on the Coronet course) with a solid 68 on the Remarkables course. He knows his second round could have been much lower. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, not my best out there today, didn\u2019t feel great over the ball. The swing felt a little bit off,\u201d said Hillier. <\/p>\n
The Kiwi pro still made some big putts \u2013 including an eagle on the 13th hole. Hillier was 12-under coming into the closing par 3 but found the water off the tee. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust stood up on that tee to hold one in against the wind and, yeah, just flipped it a bit and away she went. But yeah, nice little up and down at least to limit the damage.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hillier enjoyed a mountain of support throughout his second round with a big gallery throughout. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to come home and feel that love, and hopefully there\u2019s more of it over the weekend.\u201d <\/p>\n
The group ahead of Hillier had a torrid time on the 15th hole. <\/p>\n
\u201cFore!\u201d yelled Lucas Herbert after his tee shot. <\/p>\n
\u201cFore!\u201d yelled Ryan Peake after his tee shot. <\/p>\n
\u201cFore!\u201d yelled amateur Tim McGoldrick after his tee shot.<\/p>\n
They endangered what might be New Zealand golf\u2019s wealthiest gallery. Among them were billionaires Graeme Hart and Nick Mowbray. Nobody was injured but the wayward tee shots helped kill offis Peake\u2019s chances of defending the title he won last year. Peake sits at even par and not likely to make the cut.<\/p>\n
Nick Mowbray and Graeme Hart in the gallery at Millbrook Resort for the NZ Golf Open.<\/p>\n
The team of Herbert and McGoldrick are looking better in the pro-am, tied for 14th. Some of the better-known amateurs have struggled. Kelly Slater says he couldn\u2019t find a putt but he did find his new favourite food tent. <\/p>\n
The greatest surfer of all time fell in love with the beef on offer from Coleridge Downs. <\/p>\n
\u201cKelly came through three times. He came back with his wife and his family after he\u2019d finished his round, and then hung around for half an hour and just had a good yarn about New Zealand farming. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then his partner ended up coming back and getting some more steak for him that he wanted for the evening. He didn\u2019t want to go out for dinner. He preferred to have Coleridge Downs meat,\u201d beams director David Mills.<\/p>\n
Surfing great Kelly Slater at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. Photo \/ Mike Thorpe<\/p>\n
It might also have had something to do with world champion barbecue exponent Troy Billborough\u2019s cooking. <\/p>\n
The second round is likely to be suspended late on Friday night and completed early on Saturday morning before the third round gets under way. <\/p>\n