Canterbury professional Matt McLean and local Head Professional Blair Riordan have shared spoils in the Nelson Pro Am, winning with rounds of 67-69 & 70-66 respectively for a 136 (-8) total.
The big hitting Cantabrian, Matt Mclean has successfully turned around early season form over the winter break to break through in the 2023 season and provide the perfect launch pad to his local Charles Tour event, the DVS Clearwater Open next week. Opening up with a 5 under 67 in round one found himself one shot back from left hander Tyler Hodge, and managed to keep himself composed with his -3 69 featuring six birdies and three bogies. It was a nervous wait in the club house and news was quickly spreading of Nelson Golf Club Head Professional, Blair Riordan looking to win his home event and go 1 for 1 in the season. Blair fired the equal lowest score of the day of 66, six under to tie Matt at the top coming home incredibly strong with an eagle and a birdie on his last two holes of the day.
Low round honors were shared with Auckland Professional, Sung Jin Yeo & Tauranga professional, Kieran Muir who soon head off the Korea and China respectively to continue their professional touring careers. Sung Jin shot rounds of 71-66 to come solo third at seven under, while Kieran headed a tie of fourth place at a total of six under with local Nick Loach and Levin professional, Tyler Hodge who had the first round lead.
The results sees the NZPGA Order of Merit tighten up, with Kieran jumping up two spots to 11th place and Matt Mclean jumping up four spots to 14th place. Tyler Hodge closes the gap to leader Josh Geary by 1000 points, with good results at the upcoming Marlborough Pro Am and Kaikoura Pro Am will see him leap frog Josh heading into the DVS Clearwater Open.
The NZPGA Pro Am Series continues tomorrow at the Marlborough Golf Club for the Whitehaven Wines Pro Am
To view full results for the Nelson Pro Am
click here