Kakazu stays in New Zealand Open title hunt

Terumichi Kakazu, a 12th-year professional, remained in contention for a breakthrough victory after tying for the fourth spot at the halfway stage of the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

The 33-year-old added a superb five-under-par 66 at the Millbrook Golf Resort's Coronet Course to his first-round 67 (on the Remarkables Course) to reach the 36-hole mark at nine-under-par 133 on Friday.

Australia's Chris Wood, who fired a 61 (Remarkables) to set the opening day pace, kept himself at the top following a 69 (Coronet) but his overnight four-shot cushion was significantly reduced after compatriot Shae Wools-Cobb impressed with a 64 (Coronet) to sit just one back.

Another Australian Scott Hend, also keeps Wood in sight after shooting 64 (Remarkables) to finish third at 10-under-par 132.

Kakazu is eager to carry his fine momentum into the weekend after registering five birdies in his bogey-free scorecard to finish the day as the best-placed Japanese.

"It was really nice to shoot a five-under-par round today," said Kakazu.

"Basically, my shots were steady all day long. There was no stress at all and I was able to create many chances."

Making his first competitive start of the year, Kakazu made a trip to New Zealand in the hope of securing a confidence-boosting outing ahead of the JGTO season-opener this month's end.

Kakazu was able to regain his main Tour card for the first time since 2019 after coming in 43rd on the Money Rankings last year.

It was certainly a brilliant feat considering Kakazu played just four events.

His creditable joint-fourth result at the Japan PGA Championship and joint-sixth at the Japan Open, the two flagship events, had contributed significantly to his season earnings.

"After going through thick and thin in the past few years, I have matured a lot and I'm confident that I will be able to do well on my return to the Tour," vowed Kakazu.

"I will do my very best to fight for my first Tour title, but right now my focus is on this week. Being in the position to contend at the weekend, hopefully, I can mount a strong challenge.

"To do that, I must play with better enthusiasm than today."

The quartet of Mikiya Akutsu (67, Remarkables) , Ryosuke Kinoshita (68, Coronet), Tomoyo Ikemura (70, Coronet) and Jinichiro Kozuma (68, Coronet) were the next highest-ranked Japanese representatives in a share of 12th and five shots off the pace.

Yosuke Asaji, who was tied for second on the opening day, battled to a 71 (Coronet) and slip 24 rungs to tied-26th on 136 total along with 11 others including defending champion Brad Kennedy (68, Coronet).

Ren Yonezawa (tied 38th, 137) and Mikumu Horikawa (tied 51st, 138) also made the cut, bringing the total of Japanese competitors resuming action in the weekend to eight.

The nine who missed the cut were Riki Kawamoto (tied 85th, 140), Tatsuya Kodai and Taisei Shimizu (tied-90th, 141), Yuto Katsuragawa, Ryuichi Oiwa and Yujiro Oiwa (tied-107th, 142), Ryo Katsumata and Kodai Ichihara (tied-129th, 144) and Shunya Takeyasu (152nd, 156)