Golf: Te Puke teen misses title by a shot

Te Puke's Harry Hillier battled tough conditions on the way to a second place finish at the Bay of Plenty Open. Photo / File

Boom youngster Harry Hillier has narrowly missed pulling off an unlikely comeback at the Bay of Plenty Open.

The 15-year-old rising star from Te Puke held up well in gale force winds and rain on Sunday in an event that was reduced to three rounds.

A third round two-over score of 72 put plenty of pressure on North Shore golfer Jason Gulasekharam, who entered the final round with a six-shot lead over Hillier courtesy of a superb second round score of 65.

A final round seven-over-par score of 77 was good enough for an even-par three-round score of 210, one shot better than Hillier's 211.

Local hope Henry Spring and national academy player Tyler Hodge finished a further stroke back. Hodge was the only player to sign for an even-par score on the final day. The ladies found the conditions particularly difficult, with Alanna Campbell and Zoe Brake finishing tied.

Three playoff holes were required before the 16-year-old Campbell secured the win.

BAY OF PLENTY OPEN

Men:

210 Jason Gulasekharam (North Shore) 68 65 77

211 Harry Hillier (Te Puke) 68 71 72

212 Tyler Hodge (Levin) 60 73 70 Henry Spring (Whakatane) 67 70 76

213 Landyn Edwards (Rotorua) 67 70 76 Brad Hayward (New Plymouth) 72 68 73

214 Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres) 70 68 76 Nic Coxon (Narrows) 68 72 74

215 Karl Knedler (Tauranga) 67 74 74

217 Leonard Powell (Peninsula) 70 72 75 Johnny Tynan (Titirangi) 69 71 77

Women:

225 Alanna Campbell (Omanu) 71 71 83 Zoe Brake (Whakatane) 72 72 80

226 Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 76 74 76 Chantelle Cassidy (Cambridge) 71 75 80

231 Rotana Howard (Rotorua) 73 81 77

234 Susan Lines (Te Teko) 73 80 81

241 Joanna Kim (The Grange) 77 77 87 Jesse Hamilton (Maungakiekie)78 82 81 Brydie Hodge (Levin) 80 81 80.