Doug Holloway advances Oz prospects with pro-am win

Doug Holloway carded 16-under to win the A$55,000 ($58,600) Mackay Open in Queensland.

Hawke's Bay professional Doug Holloway last night won a pro-amateur tournament in Australia.

The 32-year-old from Te Pohue carded 16-under to win the A$55,000 ($58,600) Mackay Open in Queensland.

Holloway showed consistency in scoring 65, 66, 66 to beat Anthony Johnson, of Queensland, by two strokes to clinch the PGA Australia Pro-Am Series tourney.

Kristopher Mueck, of Victoria, was a further two shots behind Johnson in third place.

Holloway pocketed A$9889 for the victory.

Another New Zealander to make the cut at the tourney was Ben Campbell, of Manawatu, in 19th equal position.

The only other Kiwi, Peter Hayes, missed the cut.

Holloway has been dedicating more time to his parents' Waitara Station livestock farm as fatherhood beckoned.

He won the Mondiale New Zealand Order of Merit last December following 22 events and 45 rounds last year. He won the order of merit in 2007 as well.

Last year's accolades afforded Holloway a passport to playing rights on about 70 per cent of the Australian Tour card events.

The Queensland Rookie of the Year in 2006 hoped to compete in six events in the first half of this year, with the target of finishing in the top 20 to give himself a good chance at the other 30 per cent of pro-ams.

Holloway, who has made eight New Zealand Open appearances, made his professional debut in 2005.