Golf: Pearce wins NZ Open

He arrived in Auckland last week as a rank outsider and left today as the main man.

Otago golfer Mahal Pearce completed a fairytale finish to win the New Zealand Open at Middlemore when a closing round of two-under-par 70 gave him a 10-under 278 and a two-stroke victory over Australian Brett Rumford, who closed with a 68.

It was Pearce's first win of his professional career after he left the amateur ranks in October 1999 when best known for a sweet swing and periodic bouts of petulant behaviour.

The swing remains well crafted while his temperament held up just fine today after he started in a share of second place, one behind Australian Chris Downes.

The were the last pairing out today and Pearce, 27, made his move early to be four-under after nine holes to open up a three-shot buffer over the Queenslander.

Players ahead weren't challenging and Pearce's advantage grew to four when Downes flirted with danger on the short par-four 11th as he attempted to reach the green from the tee.

The ball ended in a sand trap at the bottom of a steep bank and Downes twice struck the ball fat and watched in horror as it came back to him.

He eventually walked away with a bogey five and Pearce, who by this stage was playing an intelligent safety game, was as good as home, providing there was no late collapse.

Pearce did bogey the 16th and double bogeyed the last but the title - and the winner's cheque of $126,000 - was all his.

Downes had to settle for third on 281 alongside compatriot Nathan Green, who shot 67 today, while Canterbury rookie pro Eddie Lee came in with 69 to tie for fifth alongside Scott Gardiner, of Australia, on 283.

World No 22 and pre-tournament hype subject Michael Campbell was widely expected to over-run the field when he started today just four strokes behind Downes.

However, Campbell's charge never got out of first gear when very poor driving saw him slip to three-over after just five holes.

Campbell limped home with 75 to sit among seven others in ninth equal place on 284.

- NZPA