Whangarei golfer Kadin Neho's year just keeps getting better. The 17-year-old has continued his rich run of form by taking out the Westpac Northern Wairoa Open, his third title win in a row.
With the Open doubling as essentially a Northland senior and junior trial, Neho, his top amateur's spoton the team was never in question, had to come from behind for the win.
Waipu's Chase McKeown set the early pace during the Open earlier this month with a two under par 70 to put him two shots ahead of Houhora teenager Ben Kennedy, and former Northland representative Michael Perrin, of Kerikeri, at even par with Neho four shots adrift on 74.
The final nine holes of the day, with 27 played per day, saw Neho make his move and surge past McKeown who faltered with a couple of late bogies.
Navigating some treacherous pin placements, Neho posted a staggering seven under par 29 to take him to five under heading into day two.
He then set tongues wagging about the possibility of a 59 when he returned to complete the second round Sunday.
Opening with 33 on day two, this combined to give him a second round 62, and a total of 136, with one round to play. Six shots back in the chasing pack were McKeown on 142 closely followed by Perrin, on 144, and Luke Brown, on 146.
A final round 69 from Neho saw him safely win number three at Northern Wairoa, his 11 under par total matching his winning score in 2012.
Second went to the consistent McKeown at two under while the fast finishing Brown beat Perrin for third place by a single stroke. Kerikeri's Alex Neely finished with a two under par 70 to round out the top five.
Senior players now have a month long break to prepare for the next trial, the Bream Bay Classic at Waipu Golf Club over July 6 and 7.
Results:
1. K Neho (Whangarei) 74, 62, 69, 205; 2. C McKeown (Waipu)70, 72, 72, 214; 3. L Brown (The Pines)77, 69, 70, 216; 4. M Perrin (Kerikeri)72, 72, 73, 217; 5. A Neely (Kerikeri)75, 75, 70, 220; 6. I Power (Northland)75, 73, 73, 221
