Pieter Zwart’s stunning finish to win New Zealand PGA Championship
Pieter Zwart’s stunning finish to win New Zealand PGA Championship
Pieter Zwart won the New Zealand PGA Championship in emphatic fashion to gain the biggest title of his career.
The tournament, sponsored by Wallace Development, was held last month at the Hastings Golf Club where Zwart was a previous member but is now a professional at the Waitangi Golf Club, north of Whangarei, in the Bay of Islands.
Zwart played his final four holes in five under par to leap ahead of overnight leader Mason Lee, finishing the tournament at 15 under par and win by one shot.
Caption: Pieter Zwart proudly holds two trophies are winning the New Zealand PGA Championship at Hastings last month and being the leading club professional at the tournament. Photo credit: Golf New Zealand.
He stood on the 15th tee at two over par for the day and seemingly out of contention before recreating history.
After making birdies on 15 and 16, he chipped in for an eagle three on the par five 17th and rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the last, meaning Lee and Kazuma Kobori needed to birdie the last to force a playoff.
When their putts slid by, Zwart was in disbelief.
“I didn’t really prepare for this,’’ Zwart said.
`` I came here with no expectations. I’ve played here countless times so I knew where I needed to hit it and I just stayed incredibly patient.”
Zwart's finish was similar to his club championship victory in 2009 when he beat club stalwart and former New Zealand Seniors' champion Stuart Duff, where he finished birdie, par, eagle, and birdie.
After losing his ball on the short par four 12th in the final round, Zwart remained optimistic that a finish similar to his one in 2009 would get him close to winning the title.
“I knew there were a few opportunities coming in, and I hit some quality shots,’’ he said.
“I played a club champs here against Stu Duff who caddied for me (at this tournament). I beat him by finishing birdie, par, eagle, birdie, and I thought about that after the 12th and I knew I was capable of a finish like that.
“I’ve spent countless hours here. I made sure the lights were on the practice putting green when we were here late at night. I’ve hit thousands of balls on the range and played many games here. I’m thrilled to win here.”
Zwart not only lifted the trophy for beating the 91 other professionals in the field, he also lifted the trophy awarded to the leading club professional, a title he won by a mammoth 10 strokes.
Lee finished second with three-time PGA Tour of Australasia Kobori third at 13 under par.