AUSTRALIAN Brad Kennedy has made New Zealand a happy hunting ground, cruising to victory at the Holden NZ PGA Championship for his second big win across the Tasman.
Starting the final round in a share of the lead at the Remuera Golf Club in Auckland, Kennedy teed off in the final group of the day alongside New Zealander Josh Geary and New South Welshman James Nitties.
Opening with a birdie, Kennedy never looked back and sealed his victory with a birdie at the last to win with a tournament total of 22-under 266.
Blemish free in the final round, Kennedy fired 5-under 67 to claim the New Zealand double after he also won the New Zealand Open in 2011.
“It feels fantastic. I haven’t won since 2013, it’s been a great week and really glad I could do the double here in New Zealand,” Kennedy said.
“It’s a great start for me this year, and I’ve got two months off before the Japan Tour starts. To win anywhere is just a great effort, there were some quality players here this week so to come over and win in New Zealand, it’s like my back yard now.”
For crowd favourite Geary the campaign unravelled at the 17th hole where a bogey dashed Kiwi hopes of a local winner. Geary finished in a share of runner-up and leading New Zealander for the second consecutive year.
Joining Geary in the runner up position was New South Welshman Neven Basic. Playing the group ahead of the eventual champion, Basic fired 6-under 66 for a tournament total of 20-under 268.
New Zealand’s second highest ranked player in the world, Ryan Fox gave the locals plenty to cheer about firing 7-under the card today to finish the tournament outright fourth on 19-under 269.
A further shot back and rounding out the top-5 was another Kiwi in Michael Hendry and James Nitties.
The PGA Tour of Australasia will now travel to Queenstown for the BMW ISPS New Zealand Open to be played at The Hills and Millbrook Resort from 10-13 March.
NZ PGA Results