Golf: Taranaki win boosts Brown's confidence

Wellington golfer Mark Brown secured his first four-round tournament victory as a professional in the $40,000 Taranaki Open in New Plymouth yesterday.

The overnight leader, Brown shot a final round of two-under 70 to finish on 14-under 274 at the Ngamotu links course.

He was three shots ahead of Asian Tour pro Mathew Holten, of Christchurch. New Plymouth pro Grant Moorhead was a further two shots back.

Three players shared fourth place on 280: professionals Brad Shilton of Waikato and Auckland's Michael Hendry, and New Zealand's leading amateur, Josh Geary.

Professionals filled 10 of the top 12 placings in the Golf Tour New Zealand (GTNZ) event.

It proved an excellent shakedown for the New Zealand amateur men's team ahead of the world championship for the Eisenhower Trophy this month in South Africa.

Geary tied for fourth and Waikato pair James Gill and Mark Purser were ninth and 13th.

Gill impressed after arriving from Europe the day before the tournament.

He shot 76 in the first round and was then 10-under for the next three rounds, including a six-under 66 yesterday.

Moorhead made the most of his local knowledge after heavy early morning rain with a white-hot start to his round. He made five birdies and an eagle in his opening 10 holes to jump to 11-under for the tournament and second place.

He was just two shots off the lead but his fairytale run ended when he dropped three shots at the 12th and 13th to stunt his chances.

His third placing overall has elevated him back to the top of the New Zealand PGA order of merit rankings.

Brown made an excellent birdie at the 10th hole to push his advantage to six shots after Moorhead's demise and from there in he was too steady for any challengers.

He made four birdies yesterday and his win made amends for two years ago when he was beaten by one shot in the inaugural GTNZ event after Ryan Hayward chipped in for an eagle on the last hole.

"It was awesome. It was important to get off to a good start because I didn't want that gap to close too much," Brown said. "I played pretty steady ... It's not easy to have everyone chasing you for two days but my swing held up and the putting was reasonable."

Brown recently resigned his role as golf development manager for Wellington Golf to return to the playing circuit fulltime.

He will contest the qualifying school for the Australasian and Asian tours across the Tasman next month.

"I am looking forward to what is in front of me. This definitely gives me some confidence."

- NZPA