Date: April 15, 2008
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Na blitzes the field as men jostle for position

Stephanie Na has continued on her merry way at the Srixon Australian Women&aposs Stroke Play Championship, carding a five-under 69 to take her 11 shots clear of her nearest opposition going into the final round. The men meanwhile are locked in a tight battle with three players tied for the lead. The Golf Australia/AIS National Squad trio of Michael Foster, Josh Younger and Matthew Griffin top the leaderboard at four-under, just one clear of Dale Whitnell and Ryan McCarthy. Griffin and Younger went into the day as joint-leaders and dropped shots early, but recovered to salvage par rounds and retain a share of the lead going into the second half of the tournament. The big movers of the day were former and defending Australian Amateur Champions Tim Stewart and Rohan Blizard who each recorded four-under 69&aposs at the testing Royal Adelaide Golf Club. Blizard&aposs round was a picture of consistency as only one bogey appeared on the card of the 2007 champion while Stewart&aposs was more dynamic, the New South Welshman going on a tear midway through his round with an incredible five birdies in six holes (between the 8th and 13th). Local wildlife proved an obstacle for some players as a fox made its way on to the 11th green, snatching all three balls and making off before the trio of Michael Knight (Canada), Frederik Kollevold (Norway) and Gene Xavier Bondoc (Philippines) could arrive! Amused but unperturbed by the incident, Bondoc putted out for birdie while his playing partners safely made par. The only extraordinary event on show at the women&aposs stroke play was local icon Stephanie Na who once again tore the Glenelg course, and the field, apart. The 18-year old posted another round of five-under to extend her lead to a massive nine strokes over Rebecca Flood who recorded an impressive three-under. Na started the day five strokes ahead of National Squad team mate Kristie Smith but pulled away with a birdie blitz, culminating with a spectacular eagle at the par-five 18th when her 25-foot monster dropped to post another round of 69. The women contest the final round of their stroke play championship on Wednesday while the men&aposs field was today cut to 100 plus ties for the final two rounds to be played at Royal Adelaide Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday. The Srixon Australian Amateur Match Play commences on Friday at Royal Adelaide with the top 32 men and women qualifying for the draw.