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There will be a Frost at NZ PGA Championship in March2 Feb 2012
David Frost, ten times US PGA Tour winner and current Champions Tour stalwart, has confirmed that he will be teeing off in the NZ PGA Championship on the 29th of March at The Hills in Queenstown.
Hailing from South Africa Frost is well known for his putting, which he has used to devastating effect to collect 25 wins across four continents over his professional career. Frost comes to the tournament carrying some strong form after picking up seven top ten placings in the 2011 Champions Tour; where he picked up $802,019 (USD) in prize money and finished the year with a ranked 23rd amongst a line up of golfing legends.
But Frost won't have it all his own way though, as a deep line up Kiwi golfers have also committed to play the NZ PGA Championship.
Heading very strong Kiwi line up is seasoned professional and tournament ambassador Phil Tataurangi. With three international pro victories and vast experience on the US PGA Tour Phil is looking forward to the NZ PGA Championship returning to Queenstown where he believes that the course, the stunning location, and the new Pro-Am format will help to attract more top international players to the tournament.
"It's very exciting being involved with the NZ PGA Championship not only as a player but also as one of the many people helping to make it a truly special event. Along with Sir Michael Hill I look forward to welcoming a number of my friends to The Hills and the Queenstown area and wish them a successful and enjoyable week. I'll also be asking them to spread the good word to help us elevate the calibre of players that will want to come and play here in the future," said Tataurangi.
Mark Brown is also on the start list after an absence of several years from local tournaments. Named the 2008 New Zealander Golfer of the Year after four international victories in one season and securing 64th spot on the World Golf Rankings it will be a rare chance for golf fans to see him playing on home soil again.
Some of the other top New Zealanders to watch out for include young up and comer Ryan Fox, the 2011 NZ PGA Order of Merit winner Richard Lee, and the New Zealand 2011 World Cup pairing of Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison.
So with a strong field assembling for the tournament Frost, who is the co-owner of 300 acre vineyard in South Africa, will have to work hard to earn a celebratory Central Otago Pinot Noir.
For more information on the event please visit www.pgachampionship.co.nz
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Cusdin wins Waikanae in the rain1 Feb 2012
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| Jim Cusdin |
Hamilton's Jim Cusdin made four birdies in his last five holes to take out the Quinovic sposored Waikanae Pro-Am today, his three under par round of 68 a shot clear of the field.
Jordan Dasler of Nelson and Mark Purser from Hamilton were one shot back, tied second on 69.
There was a group of six players a further shot afield on a day when the persistent southerly just would not go away, wet and windy enough to be annoying.
A large field of 52 PGA professionals and associated amateur teams enjoyed the course in spite of the conditions with a lot of volunteer work having been put in by many members of the club.
FULL SCORES HERE
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The Fox outrun the hounds today in Martinborough31 Jan 2012
 | | Rookie Pro Ryan Fox |
Ryan Fox of Auckland ran away with The Jimmy Napier Classic Pro-Am today in Martinborough, winning by three shots from the chasing pack.
It was a day when while the course was presented in great condition the gusty and at times very strong nor'wester made it difficult for some.
But not Fox who made eight birdies and an eagle, marred somewhat by three bogeys, for his seven under par score of 65. His fast start consisted of an eagle on the short par five first hole followed by a birdie on the second, also a par five. He bogeyed the tough into-the-wind third as did most of the field, but his obvious approach of attacking the course certainly paid off. Seven more birdies followed at regular intervals, with the other blemishes coming on the ninth where he hit his tee shot into the trees, and the difficult par three 12th hole.
Tied second three shots back were Troy Ropiha of Taupo, Pieter Zwart of Waipukurau, Tauranga's Jared Pender, Gareth Paddison of Wellington and Jim Cusdin from Hamilton. Ropiha will be rueing finding the ditch alongside the short par three 8th, his finishing hole, taking the penalty drop and signing for a double bogey.
FULL SCORES HERE
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29 Jan 2012Moorhead Superior at Masterton
 | | Grant Moorhead |
Grant Moorhead from Taranaki continued his impeccable form at Masterton in the second and final round over the weekend of the DHL Global Forwarding & Recreational Services Pro-Am.
His seven under par round of 64 contained the seven birdies and obviously no errors for the second day in a row, holding onto his three shot margin from Eketahuna.
What was remarkable from his weekend's play was the complete absence of any bogeys.
"I really felt in the zone over the two days", said Moorhead. "Even when I had the inevitable loose stroke I felt comfortable that I could extricate myself safely, even made a couple of birdies off the rough ones".
His closest challenger, Auckland's Ryan Fox, also scored a 64, his round once again showing the flair of youth in mixing seven birdies with an eagle and two bogeys as he enjoys his transition into the professional ranks. His previous round at Eketahuna was also a birdie-fest but with a couple of dropped shots in the mix.
Troy Ropiha of Taupo finished third with rounds of 70 and 66, a strong start to his year considering he is recovering from a recent shoulder injury.
FULL RESULTS HERE
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Moorhead in Charge in Wairarapa28 Jan 2012
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| Grant Moorhead |
Grant Moorhead from New Plymouth made eight birdies on his way to a flawless 63 at Eketahuna today, taking a two shot lead into the final round of the DHL Global Forwarding & Recreational Services Pro-Am.
With the second round scheduled for the Masterton course tomorrow, he will be trying to hold out rookie professional Ryan Fox from Auckland. Fox made four birdies in his last five holes today for his 65, he in turn being one in front of Wellington's Gareth Paddison, with another shot back to Clarke Osborne of Auckland.
Moorhead said he felt in a really good space, taking the good with the indifferent and showing good professionalism in making pars off the bad shots.
The Eketahuna course was tuned up in great order, a huge credit to its small membership base who always punch above their weight in setting up their day of this popular event.
Play tomorrow will be a shotgun start at 10.00am
Leading Scores
63 Grant Moorhead (New Plymouth)
65 Ryan Fox (Auckland)
66 Gareth Paddison (Wellington)
67 Clarke Osborne (Auckland)
68 Andrew Green (Wellington), Richard Lee (North Harbour), Jared Pender (Tauranga), Pieter Zwart (Waipukurau)
69 Leighton James (Hastings), Jamie McIsaac (Queenstown)
70 Nick Gillespie (Wellington), Jason McIntosh (Taupo), Troy Ropiha (Taupo), Benjamin Taylor (Mount Maunganui) top
Danny Lee Aces 17th Hole23 Jan 2012
Check out Danny Lee's hole in one HERE at the PGA Tour event in California. top
Lydia Ko wins Australian Amateur title22 Jan 2012
The NZ Professional Golfers' Association congratulates Lydia Ko on her victory today in the Australian Womens Amateur Championship.
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| Lydia Ko |
Lydia Ko embellished her status as the world's leading amateur golfer when she secured the Australian women's championship by defeating local hope Breanna Elliott in Melbourne today.
The 14-year-old from North Harbour started strongly in the 36-hole final at the Woodlands Golf Club and eventually subdued Elliott 4 and 3 to become one of the youngest ever winners of a tournament first staged in 1894.
Ko, who won the stroke play component of the championships in 2011 before being eliminated in the quarterfinals of match play, became the first New Zealander to win the title since Jan Higgins triumphed in 1989.
She is also the first non-Australian to claim the crown since Great Britain's Julie Hall was victorious in 1995.
Local knowledge was of no benefit to the Victorian as Ko, whose only anxious moment came in yesterday's quarterfinal against Tilly Poulsen, took control of the final from the moment she won the opening hole.
Three birdies and a par then enabled her to build an impregnable five hole advantage before Elliott finally had cause for celebration when she won the ninth with her only birdie of the opening round.
Ko duly restored her advantage on the 10th, dropped the 11th but finished strongly to claim two of the final three holes to lead by six at the break.
The diminutive right hander's advantage ballooned to seven up after 21 but Elliott delayed the inevitable by winning consecutive holes to trim the margin to four before Ko halved the next three holes to close out victory on the 33rd.
Ko had been runner-up to Elliott after two rounds of stroke play and then proved too strong for Jacinta Brideson and Cathleen Santoso in the early rounds of match play.
Her campaign was only in jeopardy when Poulsen was four up with six to play yesterday but Ko rallied magnificently to win at the second extra hole after birdieing six of the final eight holes.
Ko carried that momentum into a semifinal with Minjee Lee, routing the Australian international 6 and 4 to set her up for today's commanding performance.
Her next goal is to improve on her second placing at the 2011 NSW Open when this year's tournament starts at the Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney on Friday.
Ko's profile rose exponentially after she narrowly missed becoming the Open's youngest-ever winner at age 13 when a bogey on the last enabled Caroline Headwell to win by a stroke. top
Muir holds on at Q-School13 Jan 2012
Omokoroa's Kieran Muir held of a strong finish from Thomas Lannie of Peninsula to take out the medallist honours at the NZ PGA Q-School today in Taupo.
Lannie's final round two under par 70 was the best of the day, but came up one short of Muir who added a 73 to his earlier two day total of 141.
Joonsang Chung, medallist from last year, showed his liking for strong golf courses with his third place finish.
With ten spots available for Tour cards it was a bit of a scramble, but at the end of the day an even ten made it at eight over par for the three rounds.
Three rookies are now entering the professional ranks.
Mount Maunganui's Ben Taylor finished in fifth place with consistent rounds of 76 72 74, one ahead of Omanu's James Hamilton (76 75 72), and another shot back to Shandon's Jonathan Dittmer (75 73 76).
Riki Kauika from Wanganui is back after a two year absence, sharing eighth spot with Dittmer and Doug Millington from Hamilton.
Clarke Osborne of Auckland and Mangawhai's Scott Wightman also regained their cards to round off the top ten.
Qualifiers in order
71 70 73 = 214 Kieran Muir
73 72 70 = 215 Thomas Lannie
72 72 73 = 217 Joonsang Chung
70 78 73 = 221 Clarke Osborne
76 72 74 = 222 Ben Taylor
75 76 72 = 223 James Hamilton
74 77 72 = 223 Scott Wightman
75 73 76 = 224 Jonathan Dittmer
74 78 72 = 224 Riki Kauika
73 73 78 = 224 Douglas Millington top
Muir Leading Q-School12 Jan 2012
Kieran Muir from Omokoroa holds a commanding three shot lead after the first two rounds of three in the 2012 PGA Qualifying School.
With rounds of 71 and 70 his 141 total is three clear of last year's medallist Joonsang Chung of North Harbour, who put together two par rounds of 72.
Thomas Lannie from Peninsula is alone in third place one shot further back on 145, another shot back to Douglas Millington from Horsham Downs.
The Centennial course at the Taupo Golf Club is proving to be a very strong test of golf, playing long from the back tees with unseasonal grass growth making the rough very penal. Excellent greens running at 10 on the stimpmetre are contributing to full tournament conditions.
The third and final round will be played tomorrow morning and the first ten players will earn or retain a PGA Tour Player card for the 2012 season.
The final round draw, together with players two round totals, can be viewed HERE.
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Arnold holds off Barnes to claim Victorian Open, Hendry third10 Jan 2012
In a thrilling finish to the 2012 Victorian Open Scott Arnold has claimed his first professional win at the Spring Valley Golf Club over the weekend.
Starting the round tied with New Zealand's Michael Hendry at 9-under par, it was an exciting round of golf which saw the lead change many times before Arnold eventually prevailed.
With scores of 71, 66, 67 and 68 for a tournament total 12-under the card Arnold showed composure when his playing partners made charges for the title.
Kurt Barnes headed into the final day three shots back from his playing partners, Arnold and Hendry, but with a birdie on his opening hole followed by birdies on the 5th and 6th and an eagle on the 7th he looked unstoppable.
"I had to get out of the blocks early and I did, through nine holes I thought it was probably mine to lose," said Barnes
A double bogey on the 11th followed by two more bogeys on 13 and 14 had all but worked Barnes out of the Victorian Open until an eagle on the 17th had him back in contention.
Barnes finished with a final round score of 5-under 66 to take him to a tournament total of 11-under par, one shot back from Arnold in second place.
"Well done to Scotty, I gave it a good run," added Barnes.
Hendry, who had dominated the tournament throughout the first two rounds, earning himself a six stroke lead heading into the weekend, unfortunately couldn't finish the way he started, with his putting let him down.
"I've never seen so many putts hit the hole, at not a lot of speed either, and find a way not to go in. On another day, they'd all drop and it would have been my day. It was just one of those things."
Hendry's final round saw him record four bogeys to finish the day at 2-over. With scores of 65, 66, 73, 73 to be 7-under the card and five shots from the lead, Hendry finished the Victorian Open third.
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Aussie Arnold chases down Hendry to tie Vic Open lead7 Jan 2012
Scott Arnold has chased down overnight leader Michael Hendry with the pair finishing the Victorian Open third round tied for the lead at 9-under the card.
Arnold started the day an interminable six shots behind New Zealander Michael Hendry but with five birdies and just one bogey, on his way to a 4-under 67, he was able to diminish this by the end of the round.
"I had a look at the leaderboard and saw that I was seven back at one stage, he was 12 and I was five but I didn't really worry about it, I just thought keep playing your game and what happens, happens," said Arnold.
It wasn't until late in the round, when Hendry had a string of bogeys, that Arnold had the leader in his sights.
"Through the back nine he hit a couple of loose shots and I was able to hole a few putts to keep going and ended up getting back to level now, so we'll see what happens tomorrow."
Hendry headed into today's round knowing that with 36 holes of golf to be played it was possible for someone to catch him.
"I don't feel like I did all that much wrong, just Scotty played really well and that's the nature of the game -- you can get caught pretty quickly and you don't have to do that much wrong."
Struggling in the wind, Hendry's two-over par round featured five bogeys and just two birdies.
"I've driven it poorly all week and today I think the fluky wind made it tougher to hit my irons close and even hit the greens at some stages.
"I just drove it poorly and missed a few putts, whereas the first two days I've been putting really well and holing those eight-footers for par. But it didn't happen today."
While he may have given up his immense lead Hendry enters the final round still tied for the lead with the Victorian Open firmly in his sights.
"It's not easy winning golf tournaments because you're always going to have a scratchy round at some stage.
"But I'm still in with a chance to win the tournament and I'm still tied for the lead, so the tournament doesn't really start until the back nine on Sunday as they say, so as long as I can find the fairway tomorrow, I'll be fine."
Sitting three shots back from the leading pair at 6-under the card are Kurt Barnes and Matthew Ballard.
A further three shots back again at 3-under the card is Craig Parry.
FULL THIRD ROUND SCORES HERE
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Hendry six in front at Victorian Open6 Jan 2012
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| Michael Hendry |
A second solid round from North Harbour's Michael Hendry has seen him strengthen his lead at the Victorian Open.
For the second day Hendry opened with a bogey yet went on to shot a second round 5-under par 66.
"Today was better than yesterday, in my opinion, I hit the ball a bit better off the tee, my irons are still really solid and I am putting great so hopefully I can continue to putt as well as I have been," said Hendry.
With a tournament total of 11-under Hendry has a six stroke buffer from his nearest challenger with the weekend rounds to play.
"I don't even consider it a lead at this stage, with 36 holes to go we are only half way done. Six shots is not a lot when there is still 36 holes to play. Anyone can catch me, even from ten shots back, I shot 11-under through two rounds so someone else can."
Not unfamiliar to this situation Hendry has confidence in his ability to win yet knows that anything can happen over the weekend.
"If I hadn't won before then you kind of wonder if you can but now I know I can so it's just a matter of doing the right things. You can't help and get a head of yourself a little bit so hopefully I can draw on past experiences and keep myself chugging away."
Hendry's nearest opponent is 26-year-old Scott Arnold who is sitting at 5-under the card. Arnold started the day at even par shooting six birdies and one bogey to ascend the leaderboard.
Veteran Craig Parry who started his Victorian Open campaign strongly yesterday had a tough day on course shooting a double bogey, four bogeys and just two birdies for a four-over-par round. Parry fell from second to tied sixth at 1-under the card.
Yet it was Parry's playing partner and defending champion Paul Sheehan who was the big casualty of the afternoon field, finishing at 7-over to miss the cut.
The cut finished at four-over with 51 professionals and three amateurs making it through to the weekend rounds. Hasting's Doug Holloway and Perth-based Kiwi Michael Long both survived for the weekend play.
SEE ALL SCORES HERE
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Hendry leads Victorian Open5 Jan 2012
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| Michael Hendry |
North Harbour's Michael Hendry has taken the first round lead with 6-under-par 65 at the Victorian Open.
Teeing off in the morning field Hendry got off to a shaky start with a bogey on the 1st yet went on to post nine birdies in his first round.
"I started with a bogey and finished with a bogey but in between was pretty solid," said Hendry.
Coming back from the Christmas break a refreshed Hendry is one shot clear of veteran Craig Parry heading into the second round.
"I think a holiday did me good, I was getting a bit stale at the end of last year and was playing pretty bad. I haven't done much over the break and all of a sudden I have been able to not worry about bad shots and just keep playing."
If today's round is an indicator Hendry looks to have returned to the form that saw him have a breakthrough year in 2010, highlighted by a win at the Indonesia Open on the OneAsia tour.
"Today was solid but I wasn't hitting the ball great, especially off the tee but I hit a lot of really good iron shots and my putting was good today. Hopefully I can continue tomorrow the way I did today."
Having taken advantage of the morning conditions and overcoming blisters was Craig Perry.
"It was quite fortunate that the wind wasn't blowing, you just had to hit on the greens, and they were rolling true so I made the most of it."
"I had a lot of discomfort with the blisters but beware the injured golfer," joked Parry.
With a 5-under the card 66, Parry showed why he has been such a prolific winner over his career.
"My short game was pretty good today and my putting was really good, I don't class that as one of my strengths but today it was really good."
Sitting a further shot back at 3-under is 24-year-old Rika Batibasaga from Queensland.
The later conditions proved to be a challenge for the afternoon field with just Max McCardle finishing under par.
FIRST ROUND SCORES HERE top
Field set for Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii2 Jan 2012
The field for the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions will include 28 champions of a combined 34 PGA TOUR events from 2011 who will compete for the first 2012 PGA TOUR title as the FedExCup regular season kicks off January 5-9 at The Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort.
"The Hyundai Tournament of Champions has a world-class field with 28 champions from the 2011 PGA TOUR season. The field includes an interesting continuation of what happened on TOUR in 2011, with established veteran players like Steve Stricker, THE PLAYERS champion K.J. Choi and David Toms playing at Kapalua. The Hyundai Tournament of Champions will also host a number of players who emerged in 2011 and captured the imagination of our fans with compelling performances on big stages," said Tournament Director Nancy Cross.
Young stars in the Hyundai field include FedExCup champion Bill Haas, PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year and major champion (PGA Championship) Keegan Bradley, and multiple 2011 tournament winners Webb Simpson and Nick Watney.
Of the players in the field, 13 won events in 2011 while they were still in their 20s accounting for 15 victories.
Five of the record six rookies who accounted for seven victories in 2011 will tee it up at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions: Jhonattan Vegas (Bob Hope Classic); Brendan Steele (Valero Texas Open); Chris Kirk (Viking Classic); Scott Stallings (The Greenbrier Classic); and Keegan Bradley (HP Byron Nelson Championship and PGA Championship).
Twelve of the 14 first-time winners on the PGA TOUR in 2011 are in the field.
Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson, K.J. Choi, David Toms and Mark Wilson are among the veteran contingent. These five (Stricker/11 -- Choi/8 -- Toms/13 - Wilson/4 - Watson/3) have combined for a total of 39 TOUR wins and all but Wilson were members of their respective Presidents Cup teams in November.
Sticker will be playing in the event for the sixth time and the fourth since 2008 when he recorded his best finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions - a playoff-loss to Daniel Chopra. Stricker, who won at the Memorial Tournament and the John Deere Classic, is one of six players in the field who won multiple times on the PGA TOUR in 2011.
Watson won twice in 2011 with both wins coming down to the wire. His victory at the Farmer's Insurance Open came after a sensational up and down on the 18th hole for birdie before watching Phil Mickelson's attempt for birdie from the fairway to tie for the lead finish just short of the hole. Watson's second win of 2011 came in a playoff with Webb Simpson at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Watson had one of the more memorable shots in Hyundai Tournament of Champions history when he carved a driver off the fairway that reached the green in two on the par 5 18th hole.
Choi is also playing in his sixth Hyundai Tournament of Champions and also has a runner-up finish, when he finished T2 in 2003 to Ernie Els. Choi defeated fellow veteran David Toms in a playoff at the famous island-green 17th hole at THE PLAYERS to qualify for this year's field.
Of the players in the field, David Toms, 45, has the most top-10 finishes at this event (4). Toms 13 career PGA TOUR victories are the most of any player in the field this week. Following his disheartening playoff-loss to Choi at TPC Sawgrass, Toms showed incredible resolve by winning the next week at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He will be playing in the event for the eighth time in his career, but his first since 2007. Toms' best finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions is a runner-up finish in 2002.
Mark Wilson may have been the best player on TOUR for a portion of the early 2011 season with victories at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Wilson will be making his third trip to Kapalua
The field includes six of the seven multiple winners from 2011 (Bradley, Simpson, Stricker, Watney, Watson and Wilson)
Keegan Bradley - HP Byron Nelson Championship, PGA Championship
Webb Simpson - Wyndham Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship
Steve Stricker - the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance
Nick Watney - World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, AT&T National
Bubba Watson - Farmers Insurance Open, Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Mark Wilson - Sony Open in Hawaii, Waste Management Phoenix Open top
Vale Ramsay McMaster30 Dec 2011
The Professional Golfers' Association of New Zealand offers its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Ramsay McMaster who died on Thursday 29 December.
Recognised as one of the leading authorities in the world on golf specific physiotherapy, Ramsay worked for more than 20 years with thousands of golfers to better prepare their bodies for golf and established the world renowned Melbourne Golf Injury Clinic.
Golf has lost a great friend and a great man who will be truly missed by everyone in golf who knew him.
Ramsay worked with leading coaches around the world, including Steve Bann, Jim McLean and the Head Coaches of England, Scotland, Norway. Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, China, Taiwan and Australia.
He worked with Tour professionals and amateurs worldwide and was the Golf Training Consultant to Golf Digest Magazine and Golf Magazine.
An author of two books, Ramsay regularly presented at Golf Science and Coaching summits around the world and also had a clinic in Hong Kong.
His infectious enthusiasm for everything he did made him enormously popular with everyone he worked with. top
Robertson Third at Q-School Final19 Dec 2011
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| Hamish Robertson |
After three rounds of golf the Final Stage of Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia has wrapped up at the Peninsula Golf and Country Club.
With an impressive last round performance an under pressure Daniel Popovic claimed the win from playing partner and overnight leader Jason Scrivener.
With scores of 68, 67 and 71 for a tournament total of 10-under the card Popovic believed his putting was the reason for his success.
"I have been hitting it good all year but this week the putts just started going in.Two days ago I had a putting lesson with Richard Cooney from Roseanna Golf Club and that turned my putting around."
For Jason Scrivener who was bogey free after two rounds and entered today's final round tournament leader the dream run was not to last.
A mixed final round that included three bogeys, a double bogey and four birdies saw him sign for a one-over 73 yet is still enough to earn him a tour card for the 2012 season.
The nearest in the field to Popovic and Scrivener were Taihape's Hamish Robertson (69 74 68=211 3=), Andrew Kelly (VIC) and James Carr (WA) at 5-under the card.
Other New Zealanders to earn the all-important Tour card were Auckland amateur Ryan Fox (70 71 72 = 213 7th), Waipukurau's Peter Zwart (72 73 71 = 216 13=), Jared Pender from Tauranga (74 72 73=219 31st) and then tied 34th, right on the important top 40 number of 220 were ex-Tauranga amateur Kevin Smith, Wellington's Nick Gillespie and amateur Sven Puymbroeck.
Missing out on the top 40 but earning some status on the Australasian Tour were Wellington's Peter Spearman-Burn and David Klein from Te Anau.
See final scores by CLICKING HERE top
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| Ian Poulter |
Poulter wins Masters title 18 Dec 2011
Flashy Englishman Ian Poulter has finished the year on a high by staring down playing partner Geoff Ogilvy to add the 2011 JBWere Australian Masters gold jacket to his highly distinctive and very extensive wardrobe.
Poulter fired a final-round 67 in blustery conditions at Victoria Golf Club to finish at 15-under three shots clear of Marcus Fraser who jumped from the pack with a 64, the round of the day.
Ogilvy returned a two-over 73 to sit alone in third place at minus 11.
The only player apart from Poulter and Fraser to shoot four sub-par rounds, the ageless Peter Senior (70) shared fourth place at seven under with Adam Crawford (66), while world No.1 Luke Donald eased to the line with a 72 to sit alongside 2011 Australian Open and PGA champion Greg Chalmers at four under.
Immediately after putting out for par at the 18th, a delighted Poulter shared his delight with his 1.2 million followers on Twitter: "winner winner chicken dinner ... what a way to finish the year."
He told his media conference that he regards the win, which has the added benefit of elevating his ranking from No.28 into the world top-20, as 'very special'. "For me it was a pure ball-striking round of golf," Poulter said. "It (my concentration) was flawless the whole day."
Sunday's final pairing was always going to provide the winner and Poulter signalled his intent with an eagle at the short 233-metre par-four opening hole that wiped out Ogilvy's two-shot overnight lead in one devastating hit.
Ogilvy had been the steadier of the two on the front nine, but failed to take his chances. Putts that didn't touch the sides during Saturday's course record-equalling 63 simply refused to drop.
Ogilvy churned out 12 successive pars before dropping shots at 13 and 15 which finished him off once and for all. "Ian played very well and I didn't," was Ogilvy's pithy summation of the final round.
David Smail (70 73 65 72 = 280) was the best of the Kiwi contingent tied 12th, with Gareth Paddison next 29th equal.
FULL SCORES HERE top
Hendry chips in to win Mount Playoff9 Dec 2011
It took a chip in on the third hole of sudden death for Michael Hendry to prevail over Nick Gillespie today in the Coast Papamoa Pro-Am at the Mount Maunganui Golf Club.
Both players were tied on rounds of 66, each of them making seven birdies and the one bogey. Dominic Barson was tied third one shot back on 67.
The play-off went to three extra holes, both of the earlier efforts resulting in pars, although the second time was interesting with both players flying the green with their seconds. Such was their talent that one ran his third shot up the bank, the other threw in a perfect flop shot, both still for almost tap-in pars.
FULL SCORES HERE top
Positions finalised in Japan Tour Qualifying8 Dec 2011
The Japan Golf Tour's Qualifying School for 2012 has been completed and the large New Zealand and Australian contingent has had mixed results.
New Zealander Richard Lee fared best when he finished 28th, assuring himself of perhaps 14 - 15 starts this season although a successful start to the season could enhance his prospects.
Fellow Kiwi Gareth Paddison finished 40th and is guaranteed perhaps 11 events to improve his standing.
These two will join David Smail thus making it three New Zealand PGA members on the Japan Tour for 2012.
Australians Richard Tate (44th) may earn five or six events, Matt Griffin (59th) might earn two or three but for James McLean (69th), Matt Ballard (73rd), Mathew Millar (75th) and Brad Andrews (87th) they will be lucky to earn one or two.
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Purser beats Boe in Playoff at Cambridge7 Dec 2011
Two Hamilton Professionals, Mark Purser and Mark Boe, played off for the winners purse in the inaugural Cambridge New World Sky City Pro-Am today.
Tied on four under par scores of 68, they re-played the 18th hole, but it was all bad news for Boe as his tee shot finished up in long grass on the left hand side of the fairway. He was still well off the green after two shots and could not get it up and down to match Purser's othodox par score.
Five players tied on 69. They were Nicholas Davey, Josh Geary, Leighton James, Jared Pender and Pieter Zwart.
The professionals now move on to the Coast Papamoa Pro-Am at the Mount Maunganui Golf Club this coming Friday.
FULL SCORES HERE top
NZ PGA Championship back in new format 6 Dec 2011
Today at The Cloud in Auckland, Prime Minister John Key launched the inaugural NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship.
The tournament, a partnership between the NZ PGA and The Hills, (owned by Sir Michael Hill) has been agreed for a minimum five year term and will initially be part of the Australasian PGA Tour with total prize money of $500,000 in 2012. Next year's tournament will be played between Thursday 29th March and Sunday 1st April at The Hills in Queenstown.
Inspired by the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, one of the most prestigious events on the European tour, the event builds on the long established NZ PGA Championship, first played for in 1920.
Professionals will play for the NZ PGA Championship over four rounds, but in a unique event format, 64 invited amateurs and celebrities will be each paired with one of the 64 professionals that make the cut, playing together as a team for the NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship over the final two days.
John Hart, NZ PGA Pro-Am Organising Committee Chairman, explains why he and his team felt inspired to bring this format to New Zealand.
"Several years ago I was lucky enough to play in the Dunhill and I absolutely loved it - the combination of getting to play alongside some of the world's best golfers and well known celebrities in the heat of a professional tournament was an amazing opportunity. The NZ PGA and The Hills believe that this format will be very attractive in New Zealand, promoting the game of golf and providing excellent leverage opportunities for both business and tourism at home and abroad."
Sir Michael said, "We have been delighted with the support we have received from both the private and the public sector and look forward to working with our partners to develop an iconic event that New Zealanders can be proud of in one of the World's finest tourist destinations, Queenstown."
The major sponsors for the event to date are: Air New Zealand, The Hilton Hotel Queenstown, Michael Hill Watches, New Zealand Major Events, Sky City Entertainment, and Ultimate Hikes New Zealand.
For more information on the event please visit www.pgachampionship.co.nz
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| Brad Kennedy |
Australian Kennedy wins NZ Open playoff 4 Dec 2011
It was an unlikely victory for the overnight leader Kennedy who trailed 2002 Open champion Craig Parry by two shots with two holes to play.
The 37-year-old Kennedy made a miracle up-and-down on the 17th before Parry imploded when he hit his drive on the last into the water and finished with a double bogey.
New Zealand hope Josh Geary, hanging in on the back of brilliant touch on the greens, joined the Australian pair on seven-under par but like Parry, he drove into the water on the 18th, and while he made a valiant effort, his par putt slid by.
Parry was again ragged with his drive on the first extra hole, the 18th, before Kennedy nailed a 5m birdie putt to secure his seventh and biggest win to date.
He shot a final round two-over 74 to finish on seven-under par along with Parry (69). Geary was a shot back, with Australian Rohan Blizard, who shot a one-under 71, another stroke back, while fellow Australians Leigh Deagan and Nicholas Cullen shared fifth place on four-under.
The win caps off an outstanding spell of form for the Australian, who won the Western Australian Open late last year, had four top-10 finishes on the Japan Tour and now capped it with victory at Clearwater.
"To win a New Zealand Open, with all the great names on it and one of the oldest Opens in the world is pretty special to me," said Kennedy.
"The last 14 months have been great for me with the win at Western Australia, in Japan and now this."
Kennedy, who led throughout, said he never panicked after his three dropped shots on the first nine.
"I tried to stay patient on the back nine. I knew I was around the lead. But when I saw on 14 that Craig had got to nine-under I then became the chaser and I decided to get more aggressive.
"The playoff was great. I didn't try to two-putt it, I thought do it on your own terms.
"To play against someone like Craig and holing a putt for birdie is fantastic. I backed Craig to make his so I knew I had to make it to win."
He also felt at home throughout the week.
"I know Christchurch so well. It's my sixth of seventh time playing the course so I know Clearwater well."
Kennedy saw his three-shot overnight advantage disappear with three bogeys on the opening nine holes.
Parry, chasing down his 24th career victory and first win since the 2007 Australian Open, made his move with three straight birdies in the middle of his round, taking the lead for the first time on the 11th hole. The championship was his until that drive on the final hole.
Geary, again struggling tee to green, slid back to sixth at one stage before birdies at the 15th and 16th brought him back into contention. After driving into the water on the 18th, Geary played a supreme shot from the rough but his par attempt did not drop, and he had to be content with third placing, his best after sharing fourth place in 2009.
Ad Feedback "It was like yesterday. I hit the ball pretty poorly and ended up in some pretty bad spots. But I just stuck in there and my short game was on fire again to keep me in it. I was surprised to have a chance for the playoff and the win."
Eighteen-year-old Australian Jack Higginbottom won the Bledisloe Cup for leading amateur, shooting a four-over 76 today to finish on four-over and a share of 22nd place.
FULL SCORES HERE top
World Cup of Golf: New Zealand finishes 16th 28 Nov 2011
The New Zealand team of PGA professionals Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison has finished in 16th place at the World Cup of Golf at Mission Hills in China after a one under 71 in the foursomes in the final round.
The Kiwis were heading for their target of a top 10 finish but a costly double bogey on the 17th saw them slip back six places to a 15 under par total, nine shots back from the winners the United States.
The US team of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland carded a five under par 67 to finish on 24 under par to hold off the challenge of England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who managed a nine under 63, and Germany (69) by two shots.
It was the first time the USA had won the trophy in 11 years.
But the Kiwis should take huge confidence from their week in China where they competed with some of the name players in world golf.
FINAL RESULTS HERE
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Kiwis slip back on day 3 of World Cup27 Nov 2011
On day three when only one team had a higher score (Scotland 69), the New Zealand PGA team of Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison slipped back into a share of 12th place in the World Cup being held in China.
Under the fourball bestball format their score of 68 was simply not good enough when a large number of the other teams were scoring in the low 60's.
Final round today is when they will be looking for some redemption, where under the foursomes format they will be hunting for birdies as they try to move back into the top ten at worst.
They will most certainly enjoy the company on the final day, playing alongside Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alvas Quiros.
FULL THIRD ROUND TOTALS HERE plus this site will bring you scoring updates during the afternoon and eary evening. top
World Cup - Rollercoaster Ride for Kiwis on Day Two 25 Nov 2011
It was adventure all the way for Kiwis Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison in the second day foursomes at the World Cup today.
They have brought themselves right into contention, in a tie for fourth place at the half way stage, but it was interesting to say the least, mixing eight birdies with a couple of bogeys and a double for their round of 68.
Check out where they stand on the link below.
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Hendry, Paddison make solid World Cup start 25 Nov 2011
The Kiwi pairing of Mike Hendry and Gareth Paddison combined for a six-under par 66 in the first round of fourballs on the Blackstone course at Mission Hills golf resort yesterday, putting them in a share of 10th spot in the 28-team event.
They are five shots adrift of leaders Australia, who sizzled with a 61, but just three off second spot in an event which lends itself to dramatic swings because of the wide range of scoring.
The New Zealanders, who had to qualify for the event earlier in the year, had four birdies while Hendry knocked in an eagle at the par four16th in a solid opening round.
The Australian pairing of Brendan Jones and Richard Green carded a stunning 11-under total to lead by two shots from Ireland and Scotland, having fired in seven birdies and two eagles, both of which came among an inward nine total of 29 on Hainan Island in southern China.
The pair finished in a share of third place in 2008 for Australia, who won the last of their four World Cup titles in 1989.
Ireland's pre-tournament favourites Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, the last two US Open champions, made a strong start with seven birdies and an eagle, while Martin Laird chipped in twice in the last three holes to move into a strong position alongside Scottish teammate Stephen Gallacher.
McIlroy and McDowell represent their native Northern Ireland as individual players but Ireland in team events. They were runners-up in the last edition in 2009 to Italy's Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, who currently have a share of 19th place.
The format is two rounds each of foursomes and fourballs. Today's second round is foursomes with players hitting alternate shots.
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Australian PGA - Geary Leading Kiwi24 Nov 2011
Josh Geary from Mount Maunganui looks like being the leading New Zealand after the first day of the Australian PGA Championship with a four under par round of 68 putting him tied seventh.
He is two back of leaders Choi Joon-woo from Korea and Queensland's Stevne Bowditch, and could have been so much closer but for a bogey-bogey finish on 17 and 18.
Check ALL SCORES HERE
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World Cup - Hendry and Paddison to fly the Kiwi flag23 Nov 2011
New Zealand PGA professionals Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison will represent their Country at this week's Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China aiming to become the first New Zealanders to hoist the trophy.
Hendry and Paddison will be up against a world class field including the favourites, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy representing Ireland.
Other strong teams include the defending champions, Francesco and Edoardo Molinari of Italy and England's Justin Rose and Ian Poulter.
Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland will represent the US and South Africa (Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen) and Spain (Miguel Angel Jimenez and Alvaro Quiros) are also considered contenders.
This year marks the 55th staging of the World Cup which will see the 28 two man teams play two rounds of fourball and two rounds of foursomes to decide the winner.
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PGA Tour - Wilkinson Through to Final Stage Qualifying21 Nov 2011
Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson is safely through to the final stage of qualifying for the US Tour with some good solid scoring at his Florida venue. His third round four under par 67 set him up for a tied 9th finish, two under par for the four rounds.
Other Australasian golfers experienced mixed fortunes.
With play now completed at all six venues, Craig Hocknull and Nathan Green made it through, albeit narrowly, at their venue in Dallas, and Stephen Allan and Bronson La Cassie survived their test in California.
Spare a thought for Peter Lonard and Scott Gardiner who agonisingly missed out by just one shot at their venue in Florida. Lonard recovered with an impressive final round of 67 to so nearly get through while Gardiner almost got there with a round of 70.
The Final Stage is set to be played from November 30th to Dec 5th at PGA West in California.
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