Golf: Kiwi beats brother to win Hong Kong Seniors Open

New Zealand's Michael Barltrop held off his older brother Rodney and Hong Kong golfer Joe Pethes by one shot to claim the Hong Kong Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Fanling.

The Auckland 56-year-old fired a 73 in the final round to finish on a nine over par total from the three-round event to claim his first international victory on his debut appearance in the event.

His older brother Rodney, widely regarded among the best senior amateur golfers New Zealand has produced, finished alongside Pethes in a share of second.

"He's had the wood over me for a long time now so to get one over him was very nice," Michael Barltrop told the HK Golfer News Wire following his win.

Barltrop last played in Hong Kong in 1984 when he was part of the New Zealand Eisenhower Cup side.

"I haven't won anything in about 30 years, so I'm very happy."

Barltrop, who held a share of the overnight lead with England's Stuart Pond, birdied two of his first six holes over the Old Course to boost his title hopes.

He lost his momentum with a bogey at the ninth and a double bogey at the 10th.

A further bogey at the 15th cut his lead to one, but he rallied and managed to par the remaining three holes to fend off his rivals.

"I got off to a good start and established a decent lead but I almost gave it back to the rest of them around the turn," admitted Barltrop, a member at Royal Auckland Golf Club.

"But I played nicely after that and look forward to returning next year to try and defend my title."

Pethes was looking to become the first local player to win the championship since Terry Collins in 2004. He carded the best round of the day an even par 72.

Taranaki's Murray Martin finished in ninth place after carding an 83 in the final round.

Hong Kong Seniors Open Amateur Championship, Fanling -Results:

222 Michael Barltrop (NZ) 76 73 73

223 Joe Pethes (HK) 77 74 72, Rodney Barltrop (NZ) 76 74 73

225 Stefan Albinski (AUS) 78 74 73, Peter King (AUS) 76 75 74

228 Barry Downing (UK) 77 76 75, Stuart Pond (UK) 73 76 79

232 Kai Flint (GER) 80 74 78

233 Murray Martin (NZ) 75 75 83

234 Alex Ho (CH T) 76 78 80