The PGA of New Zealand Four Nations Cup team have fallen 1.5 points to the hosts, the PGA of Australia in a nail biting final day at Moonah Links.
After a disappointing day 2, where the New Zealand team of Pieter Zwart (Waitangi Golf Club), Chas Craig (Marlborough Golf Club), Dongwoo Kang (Neverland Golf) & Hamish Campbell (Palmerston North Golf Club) only scored 1.5 out of a possible 6 points in cold and blustery conditions the New Zealand team bounced back in Day 3 to beat the PGA of South Africa team scoring 4.5 points out of a possible 6.
Day 2s golf was highlighted by Pieter Zwart winning his singles match 5&4, however, that was the only bright spot in a day that proved to be the ultimate decider as the Australians took their home track advantage to the New Zealand team, with the only other highlight being Dongwoo Kang halving his morning singles game. As conditions worsened throughout the day, the PGA of Australia won both afternoon four-ball best ball matches. This meant the New Zealand team who had a two-point advantage leading into day two saw their lead evaporate, finishing the day 1 point behind the PGA of Australia and 1.5 points behind the PGA of South African team they faced in day 3.
Both the weather and spirits of the team improved for the final day, knowing they needed to beat the South African team and have results go their way in the Australian vs Internationals match. The team started the morning strong, with both Hamish Campbell and Pieter Zwart winning their morning singles matches (the latter for an impressive 100% strike rate in the Singles, winning all three of his matches), with Dongwoo Kang remaining steady, halving his singles match to also remain undefeated in the Singles throughout the event. Sadly, other results had not fallen the New Zealand team's way as the Australians won three points in their morning singles against the Internationals to gain a 1.5 point advantage. This made the picture clear for the afternoon play, with the New Zealand team needing to win both Four Ball games against the South African side both pairings of Chas Craig/Dongwoo Kang and Hamish Campbell/Pieter Zwart answered the call, winning 4&2, and 3&2 respectively.
Sadly, once again results did not go their way as the Australian PGA won both their Four Ball Best Ball games against the Internationals to secure the Four Nations Cup for the first time by 1.5 points over the New Zealanders.
Final Standings:
Australia: 12.5 Points (11 Won, 3 Halved, 4 Lost)
New Zealand: 11 Points (10 Won, 2 Halved, 6 Lost)
South Africa: 9.5 Points (9 Won, 1 Halved, 8 Lost)
Internationals: 3 Points (2 Won, 2 Halved, 14 Lost)
The next edition of the Four Nations Cup will be hosted by the PGA of Canada in 2025, and then by the PGA of New Zealand in 2027.