Marlborough Golf Club Head Professional, Jonti Philipson has won his first Professional event in his home event, the Whitehaven Wines Marlborough Pro Am. The 18 Hole event saw calm conditions on what is normally a very windy golf course however the course was still hard to crack as birdies were scarce, with only five pros able to break par at the Blenheim golf course.
Jonti, who turned professional in 2005, managed to come out on top with a round of Four Under 68 in the 6080m course, beating out Auckland professional Dongwoo Kang and Nelson Golf Club Co-Head Professional Sean Riordan by one. Jonti's round featured five birdies and a lone bogey on the long 190m Par 3 16th.
Jonti was ecstatic in his winning speech reminiscing of his only other time coming close as a professional, once losing out in a playoff. Jonti said it was truly special to win his home event and to be able to celebrate with the members of Marlborough.
The 2023 version of the Marlborough Pro Am was the fifth year that Whitehaven Wines has been the leading sponsor, one of the longest-running naming sponsorships for a NZPGA event and have committed again for 2024.
The top of the leaderboard was rounded out by left-hander, Tyler Hodge continuing good form, coming 3rd and closes his gap to Josh Geary at the top of the NZPGA Order of Merit by another 600 points to only be 3000 behind. A win at the weekends Hunting & Fishing Kaikoura Pro Am will see Tyler take over the lead in the Order of Merit. 2017 New Zealand Open winner, Mike Hendry carded a One Over 73 to come 9th as he continues his return to competitive golf since his cancer diagnosis.
To view the full results for the Whitehaven Wines Marlborough Pro Am
click here