On Tuesday Josh Geary extended his NZPGA Order of Merit lead over Tyler Hodge, taking out the Spark Pro Am with a round of 4 Under 68 in cold and blustery conditions at Clearwater Golf Club. The spoils of the day were shared with Auckland Professional, Dongwoo Kang.
The win is Josh’s third of the year in just nine events who is carving up an impressive year as he also finished top professional at the Muriwai Open. This is Dongwoo Kang’s first win of 2023 and caps of a strong run of performances in the Tasman Swing of Pro Ams, coming off a second placing the weekend before.
The pair finished two shots ahead Michael Hendry and Stephen Oh on a day where birdies were hard to come by. For Michael, this was his best finish since coming back to professional golf, and for Stephen marks his best result since turning professional this year.
Josh Geary’s round included six birdies and two bogeys and is bringing in impressive form as he looks not just to defend his DVS Clearwater Open, but also go back-to-back in Jennien Homes Charles Tour events after winning the Carrus Tauranga Open two weeks ago.
The Spark Pro Am also saw the return of Jake Meenhorst, who has been touring in the UK on the Clutch Pro Tour in efforts to attain Challenge Tour Status in Europe and was happy to come back to a 72 T5. Jake who currently sits 6th on the Order of Merit will be looking to improve upon that in the two upcoming Charles Tour events to ascertain a spot in the 2024 NZ Open as well as PGA Tour of Australasia status.