Takahiro Hataji of Japan plays a shot during the final day of the 2024 New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook Resort. Photo: Getty Images
He has held his nerve down the stretch at Millbrook this evening to beome the first Asian champion in the 117-year history of the national tournament.
Hataji posted a 4-under-par 67 today to finish at 17-under for the tournament, a single shot clear of Australian veteran Scott Hend.
Hend, the leader at the halfway point of the tournament and co-leader after the third round, birdied the 16th and 17th holes and needed only par on the 18th to force a playoff.
He left himself a par putt of barely 1.5m but nudged it just wide.
New Zealand golfer Josh Geary joined Australians Anthony Quayle and Matthew Griffin in a tie for third at 15-under.
Full story in tomorrow’s Otago Daily Times.
