Former New Plymouth golfer Troy Ropiha is poised to complete a happy homecoming after blitzing his old course to carry a four shot lead into the final round of the Taranaki Open yesterday.
Ropiha, now domiciled in Taupo, carded a stunning six-under 66 at the New Plymouth Golf
Club to move to eight-under (208) after the penultimate round.
He relieved Dominic Barson of the overall lead, with the Nelson professional now in joint second place with Wellington's Andrew Green on four-under.
While a stiff breeze tested the men's and women's field on the links course at Ngamotu, it was less severe than the opening two rounds. Ropiha meandered through the first nine holes, turning at two-under before he dropped a shot on the 11th.
He swiftly got his game in order and surged home with three birdies and an eagle on the last, nailed when he sunk a 10m putt.
Ropiha led after three rounds at the last Charles Tour event at Wairakei two weeks ago before fading back to third place so was keen to avoid a repeat today.
"It's the same scenario as Wairakei but hopefully the results will be a bit better. I'm really trying not to get worked up after I hit a bad shot."
Wairakei Open winner Doug Holloway, out of contention after blowing out to 11-over recorded the round of the day -- a tournament record seven-under 65.
New Zealand representative Caroline Bon from Whangarei took out the women's honours after their tournament was restricted to 54 holes because the players travel to Nelson for the Interprovincials starting on Tuesday.
Bon fired an even-par 72 yesterday to tie with overnight leader Chantelle Cassidy (Rotorua) on nine-over par 225 and took out the title on the second extra hole.
