Dongwoo Kang holds nerve on 18th to prevail at The Hills

By NEVILLE IDOUR

Auckland club professional Dongwoo Kang (from Gulf Harbour) held his nerve on the 18th hole in the final round of The Hills' Invitation Pro-Am at Sir Michael Hill’s Arrowtown course to score a one shot win over Wellington's Gareth Paddison (Manor Park).

Both Kang and Queenstown’s James Anstiss started the day on seven under par after first round 65s and after a neck and neck battle through 14 holes in the second round they were still tied on 10 under par.

Meanwhile, Paddison was already in the clubhouse having just finished an outstanding eight under of 64 to tie the leaders on 10 under and a playoff looked very possible. Paddison stormed home on the back nine with five birdies and an amazing eagle on the 344-metre 15th hole. His drive finished one foot from the hole. Kang had also eagled 15 in the first round.

Kang birdied No 15 in his second round to take a one shot lead. Anstiss, however, made the same mistake as many others on the notorious par three 16th. The difficult pin placement towards the rear of the green required a precise tee shot. Unfortunately he came up a little short and found the creek. His three shots after the penalty left him with double bogey to fall back to eight under par. A birdie on 17 and a par on 18 left him tied third on nine under.

It was now Kang’s to lose, knowing a par on 18 would secure the win. He misjudged the following wind, thinking it was a slight headwind and he overshot the green by several metres down into testing rough. Paddison was now wondering if he may have to get the clubs out again.

Kang had to play a precise high lob shot to avoid a two putt and a playoff. His shot was brilliant landing short of the pin and rolling just past the hole. A nervy four footer was no problem for Kang and a well earned win was his.

Kang was thrilled with his win and is looking forward to enjoying the one year membership at The Hills which is in addition to the $10,000 winner’s purse. He spent a further week at Millbrook with his young family before returning to Auckland.

Harry Na produced a flawless six birdie final round 66 to snare third place. Two solid rounds earned Luke Toomey fifth place. Ben Campbell, in his first competitive outing since early in the year, finished sixth on six under. He was close to the lead after nine holes but a one over par final nine ended his challenge.

For the most part the weather was kind and the weekend was enjoyed by all 80 players (20 pros plus 60 Hills members).

Leading scores:-

Dongwoo Kang 65,68. 133.

Gareth Paddison 70, 64. 134.

James Anstiss 65, 70; Harry Na 69, 66. 135.

Luke Toomey 68, 69. 137.

Ben Campbell 67, 71. 138.

Ryan Chisnall 140.

Josh Geary, Jordan Loof, Daniel Pearce 142.

Auckland professional Dongwoo Kang pumps his fist after sinking the winning putt in The Hills Pro-Am. Photo credit: Luke Leesburg