Golf: Haywood eagles last hole to win

Canterbury professional Ryan Haywood chipped in for an eagle on the final hole to win the $40,000 Taranaki Open in New Plymouth yesterday.

He pipped joint overnight leader Mark Brown, of Wellington, by one shot after a head-to-head battle in the final round in idyllic conditions at the Ngamotu links course.

The Taranaki Open is the first Golf Tour of New Zealand event, a new initiative promoted by former professional Greg Turner to provide competition for New Zealand's amateur and professional players.

Haywood, who earned $8000, shot a final round of even par 72 to finish with a four-round total of three-under 285.

Brown closed with 73 to be on 286, followed by amateurs Riki Kauika, of Wanganui, and Mark Smith, of Rotorua, who shared third place with Canterbury professional Tony Christie on 290.

Kauika, 19, took out the prize for being the leading amateur after a playoff with Smith.

Kauika's New Zealand teammate Josh Geary climbed to a share of 16th place overall with a final round, tournament-low six-under 66.

The leading woman was Wellington teenager Sarah Nicholson, who fired a closing round 70 to finish 32nd on 303.

Haywood, a Christchurch-based Australian who gained his Australasian PGA Tour card last November, won three of his first four tournaments as a professional, including the Fiji Open.

He was delighted with his performance here.

"I am absolutely delighted. It's the biggest win of my career for sure," Haywood said. "Greg Turner's concept for the tour for top amateurs and professionals is great. I will certainly play in more of them if they are established next year.

"My ultimate aim is the play in the United States, but this tour concept is a really good stepping stone."

Haywood dropped two shots early as Brown grabbed a lead which he held throughout the day.

While neither was able to run away from the chasers, the championship turned into a matchplay between the pair.

Brown had a one-shot advantage heading down the par-five 18th but his approach shot finished 18m from the hole. His putt from off the green left him 4m away, while Haywood skilfully chipped in from 4.5m for an eagle three.

Brown had a chance to tie but his birdie attempt slid past the hole.

Brown played splendidly throughout the weekend, especially his opening round one-over 73 in horrendous driving rain and fierce winds that included a quadruple bogey nine on his penultimate hole.

Taranaki amateur Troy Ropiha shot 69 to finish sixth on 291, one stroke ahead of a trio including Canterbury professional Carl Brooking and amateurs Regan MacRae, of New Plymouth, and Taihape's Hamish Robertson.

- NZPA