Golf: Australian takes out NZ under-19 champs

Australian Steven Bowditch beat Hamilton's Jason McIntosh by two strokes yesterday to win the New Zealand under-19 golf championships in Hastings.

Bowditch, aged 17, matched McIntosh's closing round of even-par 73 to protect his overnight advantage. He set up his victory with a fine round of four-under 69 on Saturday.

Another Australian, Ewan Porter, shared the lead heading into the final round but fell off the pace with a 77 which saw him finish fourth, two strokes behind Hauraki's Evan Woolf.

- NZPA