14 Apr 2021 | National Championships |

Halls, Wong extend #AusJnr edge

by Golf NSW

Jeneath Wong masters the conditions at Gold Creek. Picture: DAVID TEASE
Jeneath Wong masters the conditions at Gold Creek. Picture: DAVID TEASE

Jye Halls and Jeneath Wong consolidated their positions on top of the Australian Junior Championship leaderboards at Gold Creek Country Club today.

The stars each lead by four shots after a day when more than a few in the field struggled with frigid winds that turned the Gold Creek Country Club course into a tiger.

New South Welshman Hall was resolute, though, carding an impressive three-under 69, including a stunning birdie-eagle finish on a day when par was at a premium.

Victorian Nathan Page and South Australian Nicholas Siegmund lead the boys' chasing pack at five under, with Sydney's Jeffrey Guan, the runner-up at the Aussie Amateur in February, another shot back in fourth.

Halls, however, is still the player to beat. Not one to mince words, the 16-year-old was pretty satisfied with his efforts post-round.

"It was tough out there and it got a bit cold, but I played all right," Halls said with a grin.

"I got off to a pretty good start. I was two under after nine and three under after 10." "I had a few late bogies. I struggled a bit, but I hit a pitching wedge to about two feet on the 8th (his 17th) and made it.

"Then on the last, I hit a good drive and a six-iron from about 180 metres to 15 feet. I hit a pretty good putt and it went straight in.

"Birdie-eagle was a good way to finish. It will give me a bit of confidence for tomorrow."

Melburnian Wong made the best of her late tee time, extending her overnight lead to four shots after carding an even-par 72.

Queensland's Justice Bosio struggled in the morning winds, carding a two-over 74, while West Australian Sheridan Clancy kept her cool in the afternoon draw, adding an even-par 72 to sit alongside Bosio at one under.

Wong was happy to maintain her lead on a day when scoring was hard.

"It was a very different course today, very windy, very tough, totally different from yesterday," Wong said.

"I tried to play more conservatively, just play for the centre of the green, but it didn't go to plan on a few holes."

The 16-year-old dual Riversdale Cup champion said she felt it would take a strategic approach to claim the championship should the conditions remain as tough as they were today.

"You really have to play one shot at a time and not go at the pins too often," she said.

"You definitely need to be patient here." BOYS' SCORES

GIRLS' SCORES

Jye Halls drives to a strong finish at Gold Creek today. Picture: DAVID TEASE
Jye Halls drives to a strong finish at Gold Creek today. Picture: DAVID TEASE

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