Geary seals season-long title with Taranaki Open win

Josh Geary won the season-long Jennian Homes Trophy in style, taking out the Taranaki Open in a dominant display of golf in challenging conditions.

Geary had a standout year, finishing in a share of 16th at the Hastings Open, second at the Muriwai Open, a tie for 22nd at the Mount Open, a tie for second at the Clearwater Open and victories at the Tauranga Open alongside his win last month in the Taranaki Open, sponsored by Taranaki Savings Bank.

Geary has been unflappable all year, which showed in the Taranaki Open when he tied Michael Hendry as the most prolific winner on New Zealand’s Charles Tour with his ninth victory. 

After opening with rounds of 65, 71, and 70, the 38-year-old Bay of Plenty professional began the final final round a shot behind Mark Brown. It didn’t take him long to ascend to the top spot on the leaderboard, a position he did not relinquish.

Geary made a couple of birdies at three and six in his opening nine to share the lead with New Plymouth trainee professional Stevie Heyes. A birdie at No 10 separated him further from the chasers, and as the wind continued to play havoc, Geary’s game remained solid. He birdied the tricky par three 16thto stretch his lead to three with two holes to play and went to the last hole four shots ahead after Tyler Hodge, his nearest competitor, made a critical bogey on 17.

Geary finished emphatically, rolling in a putt from over 35 feet for an eagle and a round of 66.

He said finishing the job after coming up short for both trophies last year was very satisfying.

“I had a really solid day. I think I was bogey-free so I’m very happy with that,’’ Geary said afterwards.

“I really wanted to win today so I’d win the Jennian Homes Trophy in style instead of limping in. I was very happy with the way I stayed patient and didn’t force anything. I played some smart shots, and overall, today couldn’t have gone much better.

“It was a close battle last year; I just didn’t quite get it done when it counted. It was very nice to come back and get it done at the right time with some fantastic golf.”

Reflecting on his year, Geary said the key to his success was a break from competitive golf to recharge his batteries over winter, where he’s bought a new house from Jennian Homes and spent some much-needed time with his young family.

He was looking to use his momentum toward the back end of his season, where he will play in some of the big PGA Tour of Australasia events.

“I've come back and performed really well and have a very clear head. It’s funny, my game has almost flipped on its head – I’m hitting it much better, but my short game is worse, which is the opposite of how I usually play.

“The game is close to being really good. I think I needed some of the competition before the Aussie tour events coming up. I’m really happy with where everything is at.”

With his Jennian Homes Trophy win, he will also take the No 1 seed heading into the season’s finale next February – the Race to Tieke.