Brilliant final round takes Anstiss to victory at Muriwai
Brittney Dryland and James Anstiss pose with their trophies following their wins at the Muriwai Open in Auckland.
James Anstiss had a final round to remember when winning the Muriwai Open in Auckland.
The Queenstown golfer last month fired a seven-under par 65 that included five birdies in six holes late in the back nine to take him to victory in the $60,000 event sponsored by Autex.
Amongst the five birdies was a monster 40-foot putt on the 17th hole and it allowed him to win by two shots over New Zealand’s top amateur Daniel Hillier.
The win was redemption for Anstiss who in the same tournament the previous year lost to Gareth Paddison in a playoff.
“That’s what you dream of when you come from behind,’’ Anstiss said.
“I think I started from six back, so to be able to put pressure on Paddo and shoot that low is a great feeling.”
The win was also reward for some recent good form by Anstiss which had seen him feature in the last group of this and the previous two tournaments on New Zealand’s Jennian Homes Charles Tour.
The win was also the second on the Charles Tour for Anstiss. The previous had been the Harewood Open in Christchurch last October.
“Things are going well,’’ Anstiss added.
“I’ve been playing well over the last 18 months and to win two of the last three events is pleasing and I’m just stoked to do it here at Muriwai.”
Hillier found his best form in the final round to make four early birdies and apply pressure on overnight leader Gareth Paddison who had looked unstoppable in holding the 54 hole lead.
Hillier finished with a five-under 67 to finish outright second and was the leading amateur.
Asahi Breweries put up a prize of 52 dozen beer for lowest round of the tournament which was shared between Josh Geary, Harry Bateman and Anstiss.
Bateman’s round of seven-under helped him into a share of third place alongside Gareth Paddison.
Meanwhile the women’s section of the Muriwai Open saw Brittney Dryland follow in the footsteps of Anstiss by also completing a superb comeback to notch her second title on the Charles Tour.
In challenging links golf conditions, Dryland’s experience helped her complete the fightback which all started with a clinical birdie on the second hole to close the gap over fellow Aucklander Caryn Khoo.
Another wave of birdies at the start of the back nine meant that Dryland was able to take a few extra strokes on the final hole before engraving her name on another national title and finish two-shots clear of Danika Lee who shot the best round of the day in one-under par.
“It’s an amazing feeling to win,’’ Dryland said.
“I love playing out here and it’s one of the best courses in the country.
“It’s been tough conditions all week, so to be able to fight through and get the result was awesome.’’
The Charles Tour now takes a break over winter and resumes with the Harewood Open in October.
MURIWAI OPEN RESULTS
Men
275 James Anstiss (PGA New Zealand) 73 67 70 65
277 Daniel Hillier (Manor Park Golf Sanctuary) 69 69 72 67
279 Harry Bateman (Muriwai) 71 74 69 65, Gareth Paddison (PGA New Zealand) 66 67 71 75
281 Tyler Wood (Palmerston North) 71 74 66 70
282 Daniel Pearce (PGA New Zealand) 67 72 73 70, Josh Geary (PGA New Zealand) 71 70 65 76
283 Connor Barker (Remuera) 70 74 69 70
284 Dongwoo Kang (PGA New Zealand) 68 74 69 73
285 Kerry Mountcastle (Masterton) 67 72 72 74
286 Trevor Marshall (PGA New Zealand) 72 74 68 72, Mark Hutson (PGA New Zealand) 68 70 74 74
287 Cameron Harlock (Remuera) 71 72 73 71, Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 72 71 72 72, Michael Hendry (PGA New Zealand) 72 71 72 72
288 Luke Brown (The Pines) 72 73 71 72, Lachie McDonald (Marton) 68 75 72 73
Women
294 Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 76 74 69 75
296 Danika Lee (Takapuna) 78 73 74 71
297 Caryn Khoo (Pakuranga) 75 72 70 80
298 Silvia Brunotti (Pupuke) 74 77 74 73
299 Yeonsoo Son (North Shore) 72 73 80 74
300 Anna An (Muriwai) 75 74 80 71
301 Gain Ju (Formosa Golf Resort) 76 78 72 75
302 Sieun Ha (North Shore) 74 83 74 71
303 Marina Ito (Mt Maunganui) 77 74 74 78
306 Caitlin Maurice (Omokoroa) 76 81 75 74
307 Eunseo Choi (Takapuna) 77 76 76 78
308 Tara Raj (Wanganui) 79 73 78 78