The Southland golfing great did it again yesterday, winning the Otago matchplay for a third time at Balmacewen with a 2 and 1 win over Brandon Hodgson in the final.
Tautari is still just 37 but seems to have been around forever, and his experience came to the fore over the three-day tournament as he did the double — he won his home Southland matchplay for an 11th time just three weeks ago — for a second time.
"I’m pretty knackered, mate," was his first reaction after walking off the sun-drenched course yesterday.
"It’s a lot of golf to play over a weekend."
The key to his strong performances over the four rounds of matchplay was his consistent putting, he said.
Hodgson took an early lead in the final before making a couple of mistakes.
Tautari then reeled off wins on five straight holes, No 9 to No 13, to take command of the match.
He said his favourite shot of the day was simply the putt to seal victory on No 17.
"Just knowing it was done — that was just relief it was done, because he’s an absolute competitor," he said of Hodgson.
"If you give him a sniff, he’s like a shark to blood, so it was good to finish it.
"It makes the drive home to Invercargill a little bit sweeter."
Tautari qualified seventh after strokeplay qualifying but his immense knowledge of the ins and outs of matchplay propelled him to the title.
He struck a rich vein of form in the morning semifinal yesterday, thumping the in-form Ben Patston 6 and 5.
"I actually got quite hot. I finished 5-under or 6-under."
Tautari has played well over 100 matches for his beloved Southland, and relishes the challenge posed by some rising youngsters in the South.
"I’m one of the old boys out here now but I feel like I can still play against these young bucks, and I will always give it my best.
"Experience does go a long way in matchplay."
Otago No 1 Sumin Kang cruised to a 6 and 5 win over Judith Yates in the women’s final.
