“You find a bit of respect for these golfers who hack it every week. It was a great challenge. I actually enjoyed it, believe it or not,” Barrett said.
“Yesterday I had four-over. Two doubles and felt like I hit it pretty good and the forecast probably played into that a little bit. But then today, I made quad bogey on two and then mentally going into a bit of a spiral. It’s a strong field and, yeah, golf beat me today.”
This week’s tournament in Taranaki was Barrett’s second Charles Tour appearance, after he played in the 2024 New Zealand Stroke Play Championship, where he missed the cut.
Jordie Barrett eyes up a putt in the 2026 Taranaki Open on the Charles Tour. Photo / Andrew Jackson, BW Media
He would have backed himself to make the cut after a first-round 76 in Taranaki, however, he ended up finishing 20-over through two rounds and fell 29 spots down the leaderboard into a tie for 79th and missing the 10-over cut line.
While Barrett has played plenty of golf in his time, with an Instagram account and YouTube channel dedicated to the sport, he said taking a course on in such a tournament was a different experience.
“I mean, playing with your mates or even when I film my own stuff for YouTube, you’re a lot more relaxed. I’ve spent a lot of time relaxed out here this week, but it’s still different; the ball’s got to go in the cup and there’s a bit more on the line.
“It’s very challenging, but it’s great. That’s why I try and play these events and hopefully it can improve my rugby game. It’s cool. Just being off the back tees and playing it in these tournament conditions like all the pros, it gives you a good understanding of what golf’s really like.”
Jake Meenhorst and Mark Brown led the field at five-under through two rounds. They held a two-shot lead over Cameron Harlock, with Dominic Barson one shot further back.
The only other players under-par through two rounds were Dominic Brettkelly, Mason Lee and Tyler Hodge, who sit at one-under.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.