Golf: Canterbury torpedo North Harbour

Sharon Ahn. Picture / Fotopress

Canterbury toppled defending champions North Harbour in the sixth round of section play at the national women's interprovincial tournament at Russley Golf Club yesterday.

Canterbury won 3 to 1 but three of the five matches went to the 18th green where the hosts scored two 1-up wins through Dana Kim and unbeaten Sara Beaumont, while No 1 Naomi Wallace won the last hole against international Sharon Ahn to earn a half.

Although North Harbour's No 4 Jenna Hirst had accounted for Rachel Thow at the 16th, Canterbury had their third winner in outstanding 15-year-old Monica Tulisi, who made it five from five when she stopped New Zealand stroke-play champion Yeon Song Kim at the 17th.

Despite the defeat, North Harbour have booked a semifinal place, although Canterbury will have top billing as long as they account for third-placed South Canterbury in today's final section round.

Kim's win against previously unbeaten national junior Robyn Scott came through a 10m birdie putt at the last hole that fell at the last roll.

For the third time this week and for the second time yesterday, Ahn had a nightmare finish, again taking three from just by the green - she missed a 1.5m par putt - to lose 1 down.

In the other section, Bay of Plenty, last year's runners-up, confirmed their place in tomorrow's semifinals with a win over Taranaki to maintain their perfect record. The Bay have lost only four of 25 individual games.

Northland kept alive their slim chances of a semifinal place by halving with Auckland.

That was the first time Auckland had not taken full points and they have to meet Bay of Plenty today.

Northland had their chance to gain a 3-2 result but Sunny Nam-Koong three-putted the last hole to halve her game with Kristin Farrell.

But, for Northland to sneak by Auckland, they would have to win emphatically against a tough Southland side and hope Bay of Plenty whitewash Auckland.

Wellington's downslide continued when bottom-placed Manawatu-Wanganui prevailed, 3 to 1, for their first success. Sarah Nicholson kept her unblemished record but Wellington's No 1 had little support with Kawhena Rangihaeata contributing a half at the bottom.

Manawatu-Wanganui's middle order of Stephanie McKillop, Amy Gooding and Helen Handcock all won at either the 17th or 18th holes.

In the other section one match, Hawkes Bay-Poverty Bay won a tight clash with Waikato, 3-2 with all games going to the 17th or last holes.

No 1 Susan Greig was Otago's sole winner against Southland and Bay of Plenty's top four all won against Taranaki with the bottom game finishing all square.

- NZPA