Wooden spooners topple title holders at Toro Interprovincial

After finishing dead last in 2017, Manawatu/Wanganui have made themselves known at the 2018 Mens Toro Interprovincial by knocking over defending champions North Harbour to go two from two at the Clearwater Golf Club.

After dismantling Aorangi in the morning 5-0, they came up against a strong looking North Harbour side who had four players from last years winning team return to defend their title. But it was the trio of Tyler Wood (3&2), Sam Nichols (7&6) and reserve Reid Perry (3&2) who completed solid victories this afternoon to set up an exciting week for Manawatu/Wanganui.

They will have to be in even better form tomorrow as they face Wellington in the morning followed by Waikato in the afternoon which will see their new number one in Wood come up against his former team after making the move South this year.

The tournament started with a roar as the host side Canterbury came up against 2016 champions Wellington in what was the feature match of the day and it didnt disappoint.

Canterbury took an early advantage to have control with Matt McLean dominating Daniel Hillier 5&4 while Hiroki Miya defeated Kerry Mountcastle 2&1 to take down their two best. Wellington started the fightback and forced the result to come down the final hole between number three players Jordy Loof and Andrew Green.

Needing to win the 18th hole just to halve the match with Canterbury, Jordy Loof finished things in style to drain a 12-foot putt which sent his Wellington teammates into hysterics and showing why this event is so special.

Much like Manawatu/Wanganui, Northland started the day with a 5-0 victory over Hawkes Bay, before falling just short against a fighting Otago side who end the day with one win and one halve.

With only one game today, Auckland and Waikato also showed why they are ones to watch with dominant victories over Southland and Poverty/Bay East Coast respectively to start their campaigns.

Its the one time of year where New Zealands best amateurs get to play as a team and if today is anything to go by, the week is only going to get better. Tomorrow features some exciting matches with Waikato facing up against Canterbury who have to endure a tough start to the draw, followed by Auckland versus Otago and Manawatu/Wanganuis thrilling double header.

Tee times for the Toro Interprovincial will remain the same all week with the first match teeing off at 7:30am and the afternoon matches from 12:30pm.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ