Keelan Kilpatrick (Russley) and Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres) finished 3-under-par after two rounds, to lead the field going into the final round of the South Island under-19 championships on the Levels course in Timaru yesterday.
Chisnall (15) was the most consistent performer, with 70 and 71, and leads the under-17 section by seven shots. Kilpatrick was one of four players to have scored a round of 69.
The others were second-placed Vaughan McCall (Gore) and third-placed Owen Burgess (Russley). Former North Otago golfer Andrew Caldwell (Christchurch) finished 3-under on Wednesday.
Breyden Mazey (Carterton) leads the under-19 section and Tom Pearson (Christchurch) is well positioned to take the under-13 medal.
The Otago boys are well off the pace but two Arrowtown players lead the girls' competition.
Shani Arona carded 79 yesterday, to take the lead from Laura Hoskin. The pair are well clear and the Arrowtown club looks likely to get two medals.
Canterbury leads the under-19 teams event by four shots from Tasman, while Aorangi holds a two-stroke lead over Canterbury in the under-16 event.
Otago lies third in both events. The under-16 quintet, 12 shots off the pace, could get a placing, with an improved performance.
