Golf: Geary back in swing with Aussie win

Mount Maunganui professional Josh Geary has won the 2014 Mackay Open.Photo/Martin Hunter

Mount Maunganui professional Josh Geary has overcome difficult conditions and fellow Kiwi Daniel Peace to claim the 2014 Mackay Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

The 29-year-old began the final round one shot behind Pearce, but shot out of the blocks to sit five-under the card through 10 holes.

Back-to-back bogeys on 11 and 12, followed by another on 16, almost derailed his title chances before a par, birdie finish secured his first win on the Queensland Sunshine Tour by a two-shot margin.

"I have really enjoyed the past week here in Mackay and it is great to have capped off the week with a win," said the former Web.Com Tour player who finished at 15-under.

"This is the first year I have not been living in America and with the weather being cold and miserable back home, I thought it would be a much better idea to fly over to Queensland and play a few events.

"The tournament committee have done a wonderful job this week and if things don't work out for me at the end of the year at qualifying schools, I would love the chance to return and defend my title."

Geary's win in Mackay backed up his impressive victory in the Western Australian Open last year his first title on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

It continues the momentum he showed in New Zealand at the start of the year where he won the Akarana Open and tied fourth at the Muriwai Open.

Pearce was happy with his performance.

"This was a difficult week in a sense, knowing that without a good finish in Mackay, this Pro-Am could have possibly been my last for a few weeks.

"Hopefully I can now take the confidence I have gained this week and try and earn a spot at Yeppoon the following week."