No 137: Mahal Pearce wins NZ Open (2003)
Mahal Pearce? Who again? That was the widespread reaction when a lanky, laconic golfer emerged from the pack to win the New Zealand Open at Middlemore in 2003.
Pearce (27 at the time) had come through the amateur ranks with equal parts talent and temper.
Coach Mal Tongue infamously described him as having a "million-dollar swing and a two-bob brain".
Even as a pro, Pearce regularly let his mind overpower his physical talent.
He scraped and battled, surviving on tour thanks to the help of a group of Otago businessmen.
Then, in four glorious days in January, it all came together.
Pearce claimed his first professional victory - and a cheque for $126,000 - by two strokes.
He fired rounds of 69, 70, 69 and 70, following in the steps of fellow Otago Boys' High School old boy Greg Turner, who was the champion the last time (1997) the Open was held at Middlemore.
"I suppose it shows that in a few days you can turn your life around pretty quick," Pearce later said.
Pearce won a second professional tournament at Chisholm Park the following year.
There have been mixed results since, but nothing can ever take away his memories of 2003.