KEY POINTS:
New Zealand golfer Brad Shilton hit a hot streak to birdie eight of his final 11 holes for an eight-under par 65 and run away with the $33,000 Queensland Close Championship.
Shilton finished at 11-under over the two rounds, one ahead of Australian Ben Bloomfield.
"I didn't make a bogey today and played really well," said Shilton. "But the eagle on the last hole is something I will remember for some time."
His 65 was the lowest round of the tournament.
"Winning this week has really laid the foundations for the next month.
"We have some really large tournaments coming up and this is the perfect start because I can take a lot of confidence away from this, he said."
There were three New Zealanders in the top six.
Recent Tahiti Open winner Josh Carmichael, held his solid form to be tied for third, and the ever-consistent Doug Holloway was two shots further back, tied for sixth place.
* Meanwhile, Josh Geary once again led the New Zealand professionals, finishing in a tie for 27th on even par 284 (72, 72, 71, 69) in the Free Press Manitoba Classic in the Canadian tour.
Brad Heaven was a shot back in a tie for 34th with Doug Batty a further two shots back in joint 41st in the tournament held at the Pine Ridge club in Winnipeg.
- NZPA
