McKechnie wins NSW Open, Purser 4th

Mark Purser

36 year-old Leigh McKechnie has taken out the 2009 NSW Open following a dramatic final day at The Vintage, Hunter Valley.

With rounds of 70-72-70-69, McKechnie finished one stroke ahead of James Nitties to record his first victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia“I am just delighted. With the conditions the way they were today I knew I had a chance, but to actually win is unbelievable.”

Coming down the stretch McKechnie was oblivious to the drama that was unfolding around him. “I had no idea of what was happening. I saw my name on the leaderboard when I was on the 15th but I didn’t see any numbers.”

Norris, the 2007 champion, finished the final round eight over to be even par for the championship and in a tie for fourth position, along with New Zealander Mark Purser.

Beginning the final round seven shots in arrears, McKechnie made a steady start before making birdie on the toughest hole on the course, the par 3, 8th holing his shot from the greenside trap.

With birdies on three of the last six holes, including on the 18th, McKechnie had posted the score to catch with Nitties still out on the course.

Nitties had his chances after an eagle on the 14th, followed by a birdie on the 15th to draw level with McKechnie. However a bogey on the par 3, 17th effectively meant he had to birdie the 18th to force a play-off.

When his approach into the 18th came up short and his putt missed, McKechnie’s wait had come to the end and he’d become the NSW Open Champion.

By winning the NSW Open, McKechnie guarantees his place in the Australian Open field this week and the Australian PGA Championship in Coolum in a fortnight.

Other New Zealanders scores:

4th= Mark Purser (66 73 74 71 = 284)
11th= Doug Holloway (65 74 75 73 = 287)
15th= Tim Wilkinson (70 73 70 75 = 288)
30th= Josh Carmichael (68 75 73 75 = 291)
30th= Grant Moorhead (67 74 70 80 = 291)
41st= Mathew Holten (75 68 72 79 = 294)
45th= Michael Long (69 77 68 81 = 295)
53rd Brenden Stuart (71 71 77 79 = 298)
Missed Cut: Brad Shilton, Michael Hendry, Gareth Paddison,Hamish Robertson, Jared Pender, Josh Geary, Dale Clarke, Todd Nicholson