Golf: Wright clinches strokeplay win

After nine years of using a broomstick putter, Van Wright shifted to a conventional club three weeks ago and the change has proved a success.

His first competitive outing with the short stick earned him third place in the Stewart Gold Cup last week and yesterday he won the 72-hole North Harbour strokeplay at North Shore by 10 shots with a four-under total of 284.

Wright, a Samoan-born 31-year-old former professional now at the Akarana Club, had a six-shot lead after 36 holes in testing weather on Sunday. Yesterday in the sunshine he stretched his lead with a 71 in the morning and clinched the title with a bogey-free 70 in the afternoon.

Second was 17-year-old Simon Brownlee from the host club, who must have firmed his claims for a place in the Harbour team for the interprovincial tournament at Nelson in December. Thomas Lannie from Peninsula was third.