Golf: Top amateur wins North Island championship again

Palmerston North's Tim Wilkinson stormed home with a final round of 69 to win the North Island amateur golf championship at the Manawatu Golf Club yesterday.

Wilkinson, New Zealand's No 1 amateur from the Golf City club, finished six-under-par to beat Canterbury's Eddie Lee by six shots.

He added the North Island title to the Southland Invitational crown he won at Otatara two weeks ago.

Wilkinson played the familiar Hokowhitu layout solidly for rounds of 72, 71, 70 and 69.

Strong westerlies and heavy afternoon rain hit the course on Saturday.

Lee began the day with a three-shot lead over Wilkinson, Brad Shilton of Te Awamutu and Manawatu's Craig van der Nagel.

Lee shot the low-round of the tournament, a 67, and still had a one-shot lead over Wilkinson going into the final round.

Shilton had battled back from a three-over 75 in the first round. Manawatu's Ewan Westergaard was third, eight behind Wilkinson.

- NZPA