Geary shoots 63 but finishes second

FAST FINISH: Josh Geary shot a course record 63 to finish second at the Jones Steel Harewood Open yesterday. PHOTO/FILE

Josh Geary smashed the course record with a sizzling 63 on the final day of the John Jones Steel Harewood Open yesterday but it was not enough to stop Brad Shilton winning by six shots.

Geary was the only player to take advantage of the benign conditions on the final day and he did it in style, breaking the course record with a nine-under 63 to soar into second spot.

Geary started the day 13 shots behind Shilton and played alongside Fraser Wilkin who had to watch on as Geary beat his former course record of 64.

Rounding out the top three was Tauranga-based Mark Brown who got a surprise when he found Geary had climbed his way into the runner-up position. Daniel Hillier was in his familiar position of leading amateur.

Mount Maunganui's Hayden Beard finished sixth-equal.

But the accolades deserve to go to Shilton.

Following the biggest payday of his career at last week's Fiji International, Shilton continued his good form with rounds of 69, 66, 67 and 70 for his second win on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.

It has been a long seven years between victories for Shilton who was delighted to finally get across the line.

"Yeah I'm stoked to win, it's been a long time between drinks so it was nice to get the job done today, even though it was a little scratchy at times."

Starting the day seven shots clear, the Auckland-based professional handled the situation with class to chalk up a well-deserved win.

"It was a strange day having a big lead and just trying to hang on. I just wanted to be positive, but after four weeks of golf I think the mind just wandered a bit."

It was a similar display of dominance in the women's field as Rose Zheng captured her first win on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour after carding an incredible final round of seven-under par to win by an even bigger margin of seven shots.

Zheng was simply too good for the rest of the field finishing at 17-under par, while two-time defending champion, Chantelle Cassidy, was in second place with a total of 10-under and first round leader Alanna Campbell from Omanu Golf Club finishing in third on 7-under.