By BOB PEARCE
Logan Holzer had an immaculate final round of three-under 67 to win the Auckland Anniversary tournament at Akarana yesterday.
Auckland's No 1 for the past couple of years sank a long putt on the first for an eagle, parred the next 15 holes, birdied the 17th from three metres
and finished with another par.
Two years ago he lost the title in a playoff and he had to wait until the final group had finished yesterday to confirm his first win in the JK-sponsored event with a 54-hole total of 209, one under par.
His closest challenger was 16-year-old Biho Um, another Grange member, who was leading until he bogeyed the 17th hole.
He needed a birdie on the last to force a playoff and, after a long drive, put his second within two metres.
But he charged the putt, missed the return and finished in a tie for second with Matthew Laird (Manukau) and Leighton James (The Grange), two shots behind Holzer.
Another player from The Grange, Travis O'Connell, was one shot further back after a closing 68.
Martin Phillips (Waitakere), who had led by two shots after the first two rounds, slumped to a 76 after earlier rounds of 67 and 70. The former professional scrambled for those scores and his luck ran out.
The tournament was the first major event on the new Akarana layout.
Phillips set the new course record with 67 on Saturday and that was beaten yesterday by Pete Leo (Huapai), who had two birdies and an eagle on the 12th in a round of 66.
Leo had earlier rounds of 75 and 80 and finished in a tie for 28th with a total of 221.
