Golf: Local pro wins Shirley Open

Local club professional Anthony Doyle led throughout to win the $40,000 Shirley Open in Christchurch yesterday.

Doyle managed a final round five-over 77 to claim his first four-round tournament victory in the final Charles Tour event of the year at Christchurch Golf Club.

He was afforded the luxury of some speed wobbles down the stretch for a four round total of seven-under 281. Doyle finished four shots clear of tour professionals Scott Hill (Auckland) and Mathew Holten (Christchurch), who both managed the low-round three-under 69.

It was the equal second lowest winning score, the same as last year's champion Mark Purser and four shots behind the record held by Eddie Lee on 277 set in 2001.

Doyle began the day with an eight-shot advantage, which he retained through the turn yesterday in freshening southerly winds.

Holten and Hill made their moves into red figures, both three-under at the turn and when Doyle dropped a shot on the 10th and then suffered a double bogey at the 14th, his lead was reduced to three.

He then lost a ball with a wide drive on the 16th for a further double bogey but both Holten and Hill dropped shots to give Doyle a three shot buffer on the last hole. He finished in style with a birdie on the final hole in front of family, colleagues and club members.

"The feeling is unbelievable. It's a trophy I've been searching for, for many years ever since I caddied for John Williamson when he won the trophy in 1998.

"I said I wanted to hold the trophy up on the 18th one day and here I am. I am very excited."

Doyle said he tried to stay calm throughout.

"I succumbed a bit to tournament pressure. The last competition game I had was the NZPGA qualifying in February so I am a bit out of date in that respect.

"I kept to my game plan but I told myself to just keep in there and back myself. The lost ball on 16 actually calmed me down. It gave me the time to calm myself which is probably a good thing because 17 and 18 are two difficult finishing holes into the southerly."

It was an excellent day for both Hill and Holten who both missed five birdies with two dropped shots.

It was the continuation of some good form for Hill who will now take his chances in the Korean Tour qualifying next month.

Holten will head to Melbourne this week ahead of some tournaments there and hopefully qualification for the Masters where Tiger Woods will play.

Wairakei's Troy Ropiha finished fourth on even par 288 after a one-under 71, a shot ahead of professionals Mahal Pearce and Andrew Searle, and leading amateur Sean Riordan (Takaka) who shot an even par 72 with a lost ball on the last.

Sir Bob Charles, playing in the tour event named after him for the first time, finished tied for 26th on 11-over par.

- NZPA