Nick Taylor Still Leads after the 2nd Round
at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship
Sussex, New Brunswick (RCGA) – Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. fired a one-under, 69 to help his British Columbia team capture its third consecutive inter-provincial title and maintain his five-stroke lead during the second round at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship in Sussex, N.B.

Taylor, along with his British Columbia teammates Rafael Lee of Burnaby, Ian Mulder of Abbotsford and Kevin Spooner of West Vancouver carded a final two-day total of 227-212--439 topping Quebec by 15 shots. Quebec finished second at 454 and Ontario rounded out the top three at 456.

In the individual competition, the 18-year old Taylor preserved his five-stroke margin and sits even for the week after carding a two-day total of 71-69--140.

Matt Hill of Bright’s Grove, Ont. moved into second place after firing a sizzling four-under par 66 – the low score this week. “My chipping was great. I was getting up-and-down all over the course,” said the 17-year old Hill who recorded only 23 putts during today’s round. ““When the wind is down this is a totally different course. It’s still a tough course but much different.”

Last year Hill, who overcame a large margin to capture the 2005 Canadian Juvenile Boys title, still felt Taylor’s five-stroke lead is surmountable.

“This year at the provincials I was 10 [shots] back and finished second,” said Hill a member of the National Junior Boy’s Amateur team. “That gives you confidence; you know that you can come back. Even though it looks like a big lead, there are 36 holes to play. A lot can still happen.”

Taylor, also a member of the National Junior Boys Amateur team, wasn’t worried about Hill or any others chasing him. “It’s a bonus to be in the lead right now and I’m pretty happy about that,” said Taylor, 17. “I can’t control what’s behind me I can only focus on my game. I’m playing good right now and that makes it a little easier.”

Mathieu Rivard of Ganby, Que., now sits in third position after carding an even-par 70 and a two-day total of 149. Rivard also took sole possession of the juvenile standings opening a three shot lead on Brett Cairns of Courtland, Ont. Cairns two-day total is 152.

2004 junior champion Rafael Lee remains in contention just nine-strokes back and in fourth place at 149 while defending junior champion Mitchell Fox of Okotoks, Alta., carded a three-over, 73 to improve his total to 155. Yesterday, Fox carded a disappointing 82 to open the championship.

The weather has been a major factor over the opening two rounds presenting players with many different playing conditions. During yesterday’s round, wind wreaked havoc with gusts measuring a high of 61km/hr. Today players were greeted with dry calm conditions in the morning but the afternoon draw dealt with significant rainfall.

Play continues tomorrow with the third round teeing off at 7:30 am (ADT). Following Wednesday’s round the field will be cut to the low 70 players plus ties. Currently the projected cut is 163. The final round is scheduled for Friday.