Golf: Hendry wins Tauranga Open

North Harbour golfer Michael Hendry snatched the Tauranga Open title yesterday, beating Australian Peter Fowler with a birdie on the first sudden-death hole.

Hendry, 28, and overnight leader, Fowler, finished tied on 12-under par as a tight final round unfolded at Tauranga Golf Club.

Hendry sank an 18-foot birdie attempt when they replayed the 18th hole to claim his first four-round professional victory in the opening tournament of the Charles Tour.

Hendry had fired a two-under 68 in his final round while Fowler, the former New Zealand and Australian Open champion, could only manage a two-over 72 after taking a three-shot lead into the last round.

The pair, on 268, finished one shot ahead of Taihape's Hamish Robertson and Japan Tour professional, Richard Lee. Wellington's Andrew Green and Taupo's Troy Ropiha were tied for fifth a further shot back.

The leading amateur was Tauranga's Andrew Stewart (Omokoroa) in 10th place overall after shooting the day's low round of four-under 66, to finish on seven-under par 273.

He was three shots ahead of fellow Tauranga amateur James Hamilton.

Hendry said the win was a real boost after spending five months rebuilding his game under new coach Craig Dixon.

"It's been a huge amount of hard work, probably upwards of 50 hours a week of grinding. I can't thank Craig enough because it has turned my game around."

The North Harbour player did not think that Fowler would give him and the rest of the field an opening yesterday after firing three consecutive low rounds.

"He didn't play real good early on and that gave us a bit of a chance. It was nice to capitalise on a few good shots on the back nine and make some putts when it counted.

Hendry, who finished in a share of 10th place last year after leading going into the final round, said he has learned much. He will now plot a second attempt at qualifying at the USPGA Tour, after getting through to the second stage four years ago.

Fowler, who had dropped just one shot in his first three rounds, made two bogeys on the birdie-friendly opening eight holes to drop back to the pack, turning at 12-under and one shot ahead of Robertson, Lee, Hendry and Green.

The Auckland-based Australian, who now heads for the seniors tour in Europe, had plenty of good looks at birdies on the back nine without fortune.

The Charles Tour resumes in the spring with the Wairakei Open, Taranaki Open and Shirley Open in Christchurch.

- NZPA