Golf: NZ title to ex-Kiwi

Queensland golfer Andrew Duffin's liking for New Zealand increased yesterday when he won the national under-23 strokeplay championships at Bridge Pa in Hastings.

Auckland-born Duffin, the 1999 New Zealand amateur champion, closed with a round of five-under 67 for a total of nine-under 279.

He was one stroke ahead of another Queenslander, Richard Moir, who carded a fourth-round 68. Manor Park's Jonathon Cane, the third-round leader, finished third after shooting 71 for a 281 total.

Second-round leader Mathew Holten, aged 17, disappeared off the leaderboard yesterday, posting a triple bogey on the second hole for the second time in the tournament.

Holten, who shot a course-record 64 on Saturday, stumbled home a dejected figure with an 80 which saw him plummet to 24th.

Duffin was satisfied with the result, but he was not so enamoured with his game.

"I didn't play the best as there was no consistency to my game," he said. "Some real good shots were not rewarded, yet I got some return from bad shots."

However, Duffin said the victory had given him confidence for this week's New Zealand Open at The Grange in Auckland, where he will attempt to win the Bledisloe Cup as leading amateur.

- NZPA