Momoka Kobori comes within a whisker of winning in Australia

Canterbury golfer Momoka Kobori picked up $A20,000 ($NZ21,000) after being beaten in a playoff in New South Wales last month.

The tournament was a $A200,000 event on the Australasian Tour and was played at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort near Newcastle.

Kobori unfortunately three-putted the last hole of regulation play to allow Aaron Pike of Australia to join her in the lead at eight under par. The mixed-gender tournament had been shortened to 54 holes because of torrential rain.

Kobori and Pike played the 18th hole three times in the playoff before Pike prevailed with a birdie after knocking his approach shot to two feet from the hole.

The win was Pike’s third on the Australasian Tour but Kobori, 22, can take credit in a top performance in which she was seeking to join her younger brother Kazuma as a PGA Tour of Australasia winner.

Even as she and Pike went back and forth in the playoff she barely flinched, only succumbing when Pike produced the knockout shot on the third extra hole.

Pike was very complimentary of Kobori afterwards.

“I couldn’t believe she was four-under through nine. I don’t know what golf course she was playing,’’ Pike said.

“She’s obviously playing like a gun at the moment. She’s been top 10 in everything that’s been on.

“It’s a matter of time until she wins, not if.

“I said that when I played with her at Rosebud. I don’t think I said it to her but I said it to a few of the other guys. I said she’s winning and she’s going to do it quick.

“It’s a shame she didn’t get over the line this time but I’m sure it’s happening.”