Australian Professional from the Murray River, James Gordon has won in astounding fashion at the Hunting & Fishing Kaikoura Pro Am. In his first event in New Zealand he's shot rounds of 64 & 65 for a 15 under total of 129, to beat Tyler Hodge by four shots in his attempt to get on top of the Order of Merit. This is the lowest two-round total in the events 22 year history.
James Gordon set the course alight in day one, shooting nine birdies and bogeying his last hole for the 8 under 64 to have a three shot lead over Korean professional Yoon Kyung Kim who had four birdies and an eagle in her round of 67, trailing them were a host of vocational members competing for the Club Professional Championship, with Dongwoo Kang leading the way in that division with a 4 under 68 after day 1.
Day two saw warmer weather throughout the day. However, a harder course set up made scoring a little more difficult, with the best round in the early portion of the day only being 69 by James Tauariki, Napier Golf Club Head Professional Andrew Henare as well as Tasman Professional, Nick Loach. However, the scores got hotter as the day rolled on and day two proved to be a big moving day at the top of the leaderboard. Harewood Golf Club Head Professional, Craig Mitchell carded a four under 68 to combine with his day one 69 to take the lead and win the Club Professionals' Championship over Dongwoo Kang, who could only muster a one under 71 in day two for a -5 total. Defending champion, Tyler Hodge also was on a mission as he eyed the solo lead in the NZPGA Order of Merit, birding his last three holes on his way to a bogey-free 7 under 65 to combine with his day one 68, he was still to be outdone however by the gun Australian visitor who backed up his day one scoring, combining six birdies, one eagle and a bogey on the way to also shooting 65 to set the tournament scoring record. Christchurch Trainee Professional, Jordan Pruden rounded out the top three with a bogey-free second round of 67 to combine with his round one 69.
Tyler Hodge now only sits 600 points behind Josh Geary in the Order of Merit, needing a win to take the overall lead. The series heads to Christchurch with the Spark Clearwater Pro Am on Tuesday 10th October at Clearwater for $20,000, before the DVS Open as part of the Jennian Homes Charles Tour at the same venue on the 12th - 14th October.
To view the full results of the Hunting & Fishing Kaikoura Pro Am
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