Robert Gates waves to the crowd during the New Zealand Open. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Gates is at 12-under-par for the tournament after shooting 67 in today's second round in scorching temperatures.
He leads by a stroke from fellow overnight co-leader Andrew Dodt (-11), who carded 68 today.
New Zealand's David Smail has been in ordinary form, with three bogies on the front nine. He is even-par for the day, so remains at 7-under for the
tournament, five shots off the pace.
American DJ Brigman (8-under with seven holes to play) appears to be one of the few players capable of catching Gates.
The big New Zealand movers of the day have been Phil Tataurangi and Brad Iles.
Tataurangi is at 7-under after shooting 68 today, while Iles is one shot back after adding a 67 to his first-round 71.
