Golf: Cook Islander Howard battles at Asia-Pacific Amateur champs

William Howard was happy with his performance despite finishing 17 shots behind the winner. Photo/Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media Services

Former Rotorua golfer William Howard has achieved the best result by a Cook Islander at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur championship in Wellington.

The 24-year-old finished in a tie for 28th at the tournament held at the Royal Wellington course at the weekend.

Howard attended Rotorua Boys' High School as a teenager before joining the Waiariki Academy of Sport for two years as a golfer. He has since moved back home to Rarotonga but is continuing with his golf.

This was his fifth year representing Cook Islands at the tournament and he finished in style on the final day, firing a three-under 32 on the back nine to end three-over for the tournament. He was 17 shots behind runaway winner, China's Yuxin Lin, but was delighted with the way he played over the weekend.

"I just feel a bit more comfortable at this level as the years go on, with the experience of playing at this tournament before. I definitely felt a bit more at home out there," Howard said.

"Individually, this event would be the pinnacle for representing Cook Islands. We have the Pacific Games which I've played once in 2015, in Papua New Guinea."

Howard opened the tournament with a two-over 73 and a one-over 72, but built steadily throughout the weekend rounds. He made a rough start to the final day with four bogeys over the front nine but came storming back with three consecutive birdies, starting from the 13th hole. Despite clipping a fairway bunker on the last hole, he held his nerve to make par and better his tied for 29th finish last year in Korea.

William Howard was happy with his performance despite finishing 17 shots behind the winner. Photo/Jamie Troughton-Dscribe Media Services

That result, however, came with an 11-over total of 299, emphasising just how much the standard continues to improve.

"Every year, you see the level of play just grow and grow. It's good to watch and some of the guys I played with during the week were pretty impressive.

"[Being based in the Cook islands] there's a big disadvantage with course itself, it's nothing compared to here or overseas. I guess with practice you get caught up with the home lifestyle, just enjoying life.

"The high side is it's a good life, I find, it's stress-free," he said.

Meanwhile, Lin held off compatriot Andy Zhang in a dramatic finish, pocketing two birdies and an eagle in the last five holes to finish three shots clear. Another Chinese golfer, Yechun Yuan, was third-equal, with Australian Min Woo Lee another four shots back.

The tournament was broadcast in 160 countries across the globe, with teams from 39 nations taking part.

Howard will compete in next week's New Zealand Amateur strokeplay championships in Christchurch, before representing Cook Islands again in December at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.