Australia closed the gap on overnight leaders Chinese Taipei after the second round of the Aaron Baddeley World Junior Championship in China. The six-member team is just four shots off the pace and well placed to move into the top spot going into tomorrow s third round at the Dragon Lake course in Guangzhou. New South Welshman Brendan Smith spearheaded the Australian assault with the day s best score, a one-under 71. The Pymble Golf Club member made plenty of putts on the tough greens and subsequently shot up the individual leaderboard after an opening round 77. Michael Montgomery followed his opening 71 with a 74 to be one shot back from American Richard Lee. South Australian Jordan Sherratt improved on his first round 77 with a three-over 75 while Drew McLellan of Hills International in Queensland had a 77. Samantha Holt had the day s third best score in the women’s section with a stellar two-under 70. The Royal Adelaide golfer is in fifth spot but will need to move on day three to have any chance of catching Japan s Yuki Sakurai. Holt has been the backbone of Australia s team result, which includes the five best scores from the six-member team. Sakurai leads the women’s individual results after following her opening round 69 with a blistering 67. Bree Arthur turned her game around despite a few disappointing holes. The Queenslander managed a one over 73 after an opening round 79. The Canadian team is third, but still 24 shots behind Australia. America is in fourth but unlikely to catch the top two teams despite an improved performance on day two.