Golf: Cusdin wins Open with birdie finish

Jim Cusdin admits he had to overcome serious nerves on the final hole to clinch the Tauranga Open yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Jim Cusdin plans to take today off work - he thinks he deserves it after claiming his first four-round win as a professional.

The Waikato pro won the Carrus Tauranga Open by two shots when he fired a four-under 66 in wet conditions and endured a memorable battle with New Zealand No1 amateur Ryan Fox that went all the way to the 72nd hole.

Cusdin, who made fine birdies on the 14th and 16th, looked to be home for the title until he bogeyed the 17th to allow Fox to get within one shot. Coming down the last Fox hit a poor tee shot into the trees and that made Cusdin's job that much easier.

The likeable pro, who had not played since the Muriwai Open in May, overcame "some serious nerves" to hit the green in regulation. He capped off his fine week at the Tauranga Golf Club with a birdie putt from around 6m for a 15-under total to seal the win.

The 26-year-old has been a player of promise for some time and this week he delivered on that, overcoming a quality field that included the likes of Michael Hendry (12-under) and Gareth Paddison (10-under), who finished third and fourth respectively.

Cusdin has won many two-day pro-am events both on the local and international stage but regarded this four-round win in tough conditions as the biggest moment of his golf career.

"To win here against a really top quality field is great," said the 26-year-old.

"It is huge to get my first four round win as a professional. I have been in contention before but never managed it and this win confirms that I am good enough, I am stoked."

The expected charge from 2009 champion Hendry came as he managed a six-under 64 but Paddison was disappointed with his final round even par 70.

Both of them never threatened the lead of Cusdin in the closing stages.

The final round was truncated by a two hour rain delay as rain made the Tauranga greens unplayable. The leaders had played only six holes and Cusdin admitted it was unsettling but just started again.

"We were all keen to get back out there but we just had to wait and make sure that we were ready to go when the rain cleared and the course was playable."

He enjoyed the battle with the 24-year-old Fox who pushed him hard.

"Foxy was playing pretty solidly and put me under a fair bit of pressure. He got to within one shot a few times and was always there or thereabouts.

"I was so nervous coming down the last. I was just trying to lag my putt up to the hole and it was a huge amount of relief to see it go in. It is a great feeling."

Fox, who finished third in 2009 at the Carrus Tauranga Open, paid tribute to Cusdin for his performance.

"Jim played superbly," said the New Zealand representative. "He played like a seasoned professional today."

Fox was pleased with his week that saw him finish as the leading amateur.

"I didn't quite get there but I am proud of my effort this week. I knew I had to make birdie down the last so it was an all or nothing play.

New Zealand representative Emily Perry shot an even par 72 in the final round to defeat professional Charlotte Thomas (73) by four shots on a five under total in the women's event.