Kiwis Around the World

Fred Funk became the oldest winner of the PLAYERS Championship.

Seasoned PGA tour member Fred Funk, who plays golf with such unbridled and infectious joy won the Players Championship when he got up and down for par from the greenside bunker at the 72nd hole.

48-year-old Funk jabbed his fist in the air and threw his hat on the green when the 5-foot putt went into the cup, then waited until Joe Durant and Luke Donald made pars before properly celebrating the biggest win of his career.

"I just won my home tournament," Funk whispered in his daughter's ear after Donald's chip from the back fringe slid inches left of the hole. Funk and his family live just three miles from the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, Florida.

The PLAYERS Championship brought together all of the top 50 players in the world, making it the the strongest field of the year. "I can't believe I won this thing," Funk said, the words catching in his throat momentarily. "It was such a hard day. I just can't believe it."

On a day when the winds gusted to 36 mph and sent scores at the Stadium Course soaring, Funk gutted out a smooth 71 that left him at 9 under and one stroke ahead of four others.

The victory was Funk's seventh on the PGA Tour and made him the oldest winner in the history of the event by nearly seven years. He earned $1.44 million for his efforts.

2002 winner, New Zealander Craig Perks missed the cut by four shots after rounds of 75 and 72.

European/Asian Tour: Wiratchant Enjoys Winning Feeling in Jakarta

Thaworn Wiratchant shot a Eurpean Tour record 25-under par.

Thaworn Wiratchant became only the second Thai golfer to win on The European Tour when he captured the Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open, after holding off the challenges of the chasing pack.

Wiratchant posted his third 63 of the week for a 25-under par total of 255, the lowest 72 hole aggregate in the history of The European Tour (although preferred lies were in operation).

That earned the Thai golfer a five stroke winning margin over Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who carded a 65, with Australian Adam Fraser a further shot back after a 62. Colin Montgomerie, who needed to win to be sure of a return to the World Top 50 and earn an invitation to the Masters Tournament, shot a final round 60 for joint fourth place with Filipino Frankie Minoza.

The Scot had a ten foot putt on the closing hole of his final round for the elusive 59, but left it several inches short of the cup. He did however created a new European Tour record of nine birdies in a row during the round.

There were four New Zealanders in the field, with only Mahal Pearce making the cut. He finished tied for 17th with consistent rounds of 66-67-66-68 ending at 13-under par and earning €9916.65.

Garth Paddison (71-70) and Eddie Lee (69-78) missed the cut by 4 and 10 shots respectively. Richard Lee retired after a first round 72.

Nationwide Tour: Hietala earns first title at Louisiana Open

Ryan Hietala made five birdies in the final round of his maiden tour victory.

Local favorite Ryan Hietala notched his first career Nationwide Tour victory at the $500,000 Chitimacha Louisiana Open.

A final round 68 moved Hietala to 18-under-par 270, one shot ahead of his nearest challenger, Sean O'Hair (65). "Wow, what a feeling," said Hietala. "I can't put it into words what this win means to me."

"People always say it hasn't sunk in yet or it may take two weeks for it to sink in, but I'm pretty sure mine sunk in when I tapped in on the last hole," said the 31-year-old Hietala. "The tap-in was the most special putt ever for me especially considering the adrenaline I felt. The last three holes was the most pressure I've ever felt but that made it even more special."

Making the victory even sweeter for the Lafayette, Louisiana resident was the fact that it came in front of a large gallery of family and friends. With the win he picks up a career-best $90,000 and moves from No. 60 to No. 4 on the official money list.

Best of the New Zealand professionals was Michael Long, who tied for 62nd after rounds of 70-72-73-76. Steven Alker (73-73) and Tim Wilkinson (76-73) both missed the cut.