12-year-old reaches New Zealand Amateur Match Play

UPPER HUTT, New Zealand (October 27, 2016) -- Shaun Campbell posted back-to-back 2-under 69's to reach 4-under and grab medalist honors at the New Zealand Amateur. Campbell will be the top-seed when the Round of 32 and match play commences at Royal Wellington Golf Club on Friday. “This is my first New Zealand Amateur and it’s pretty cool to be up the top and playing some decent golf,” Campbell told New Zealand Golf. In the second round Campbell birdied his opening hole and then reached 2-under for his day with another circle on the 8th. From then on it was a balancing act for Campbell, as he bogeyed once, double-bogeyed a hole and also birdied three-times with his final one coming on No. 17. Luke Tommey (69-71) finished 2-under and in second place while 12-year-old Jayden Ford (69-71) sits in third at 1-under. "(Jayden) played out of his skin (on Wednesday), the best I've seen him play," father and caddie Glynn told Fairfax Media. "He was just on, especially for the conditions. For him the course is playing very long with it being so wet and soft." A duo of players; Ryan Chisnall (71-71) and Peter Spearman-Burn (69-73)-- were even-par in a tie for fourth. First round leader Leonard Powell dropped into a tie for 31st following a second round 10-over 81 that put him at 7-over. -New Zealand Golf and the New Zealand Herald contributed to this story ROUND ONE RECAP Leonard Powell began the New Zealand Amateur with a 3-under 68 to take a one-stroke lead over five others at Royal Wellington Golf Club. Powell got his round off to a good start on the front nine with three birdies from Nos. 6-9 to turn in a bogey-free 3-under 33. He remained there until he carded his only bogey of the day on No. 15 before closing in fine fashion with a par-5 18th hole birdie. The second place group is comprised of Shaun Campbell, Luke Toomey, Peter Spearman-Burn, Shiv Sabherwal and Jayden Ford after they all shot 2-under 69's in the first round. An additional three players are tied for seventh at 1-under. 19 players will begin the second round within four shots of the lead. Thursday will mark the final day of stroke play before the top 32 players advance to match play beginning Friday.