Tauranga golfer wins junior Maori golf champs

Omanu's Jordan Golding has claimed the national Maori under-19 championships in Rotorua yesterday.

In only his second attempt at the championship the 17-year-old shot a 2 over par 74 in his final round to secure the title.

The Ngati Maniapoto descendant said he was "stoked" with the win.

On Thursday Golding opened the day with an even par 72 before cutting loose from the field in the afternoon round with a sizzling six- under-par 66. Golding had a six shot lead over his nearest rivals Poverty Bays' William Brown and Wellington's Cruize Wawatai yesterday morning.

"The [second round] would have set me up probably, quite well. But the putter wasn't too good [yesterday] it went a bit cold but other than that it went quite well."

The Omanu club youngster gave Williams a glimmer of hope on the back nine when he missed a relatively easy putt on the 14th then followed it up by driving his tee shot behind some trees on the 15th, to drop within three shots of Brown who was looking strong both with the putter and the driver.

However, Golding recovered on 17 to drive his tee shot to the pin to keep his three shot lead over Williams who shot a consistent final round 1 under par 71 to finish with a gross of 291.

He was followed in third by Titahi Bays' Cruize Wawatai who couldn't recover from his first round shocker (81). Although he carded a 75 on his final round on the hilly Lakeview layout yesterday to finish with 295.

Houston Te Puni was the highest Lakeview mens finisher with a solid gross of 305.

Meanwhile Titahi Bay's Te Rongopai Clay kept her grip on the girls' title carding a 79 to take her gross to 231. Northland's Rachael Williams grabbed second with Tairawhiti's Skyla Pohatu grabbing third.

Golding said he'd definitely be back to defend the title next year.

Results:

Mens gross: Jordan Golding 72, 66, 76, 74, 288; William Brown 70, 73, 76, 71, 291; Cruize Wawatai 81, 69, 70, 75, 295. Women's gross winner Te Rongopai Clay 75, 78, 78, 79 231.