Otago professional Mahal Pearce has finished in fifth place at the NSW Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia after shooting a superb three under 67, the low round of the final day.
The 2003 New Zealand Open champion had a hot finish to his tournament at the Newcastle Golf Club where he birdied three of the final four holes before he bogeyed the 18th.
The 35-year-old Pearce finished four shots behind champion Adam Crawford. The Australian fired a one-under-par 69 to win the title by one shot from Paul Donahoo.
Pearce carded rounds of 69, 70, 72 and 67 as he prepares for the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum this week before returning home for the BMW NZ Open in Christchurch.
Doug Holloway, who has enjoyed a fine season in Australia winning a number of local pro-am events, finished in a share of eighth place after an even par 70.
