Takahiro Hataji sought to become the first Asian champion in the 117-year history of the tournament, while 50-year-old Australian Scott Hend fancied becoming the oldest winner of the event in the modern era.
And it all came down to one putt.
Japanese Tour professional Hataji claimed the Brodie Breeze Trophy and the $335,000 winner’s purse with a 4-under-par 67 in the final round, finishing at 17-under for the tournament to claim his first professional win.
One shot back was Hend, the entertaining Queenslander with 16 professional victories who shared the lead after the first and third rounds and had a two-stroke buffer after the third.
The pair were tied for the lead at the turn yesterday but Hataji grabbed birdies at the 12th and 15th to hold the whip hand.
However, the Japanese golfer could make only par at the relatively benign par-5 17th, and when Hend birdied both 16 and 17, a playoff was looming.
Hataji duly made par on the short finishing hole, and Hend — with former Otago cricketer Gregor Croudis on his bag — seemed certain to do the same when he stood over a par putt of barely 1m.
Not much fazes the grizzly-friendly Australian, but he must have groaned when he saw his putt nudge just right.
That prompted a broad smile and a fist pump from the Japanese golfer hovering near the scorer’s tent on another glorious day at the resort.
Hiroshima-born Hataji, 30, was making his first visit to New Zealand. One assumes he will be back.
"Of course."
The words were from his interpreter but the wide grin was all Hataji’s.
He felt the key moment in his final round was a long putt to save par on the 11th hole.
Hataji, who was followed around Millbrook by his wife, said he felt a little for Hend when he saw the Australian miss the putt that would have sent it to a playoff.
"I was preparing for a playoff.
"But I have to say I was pleased that he missed. That sort of emotion came to the surface — how happy I was.
"I am feeling very happy. The whole day was a fight, a struggle. But I came through it so I am very happy about that."
He tied for third with Australians Anthony Quayle and Matthew Griffin, the 2016 champion, at 15-under.
"It came down to putting and I really didn’t make anything", Geary said.
"I am absolutely proud of my week, especially as I have lacked international play the last few months.
"To come here and hold my nerve when things weren’t going great is rewarding. Couple of putts here and there and who knows?"
It was another close miss for Geary, who tied for second in 2019, finished third in 2011, and tied for fourth in 2009.
"I would love to come back here and get the job done. Sometime we will do it."
Swanwick, just 18 and bound for college in Florida, carded his third consecutive round of 3-under-par 68 yesterday, highlighted by eagle on the 17th, to finish 13-under for the tournament, six shots clear of the next best amateur, Joshua Bai.
"I’m pretty happy to be done", Swanwick smiled.
"The nerves were kicking in at the end there. It’s a great experience."
Also at 13-under and tied for 10th was Queenstown favourite Ben Campbell, who had a solid 4-under 67 yesterday to follow his 1-under 70 on Saturday.
Luke Toomey, Nick Voke, Kieran Muir and James Hydes formed a cluster of Kiwis at 12-under.
New Zealand No1 Daniel Hillier, just two shots off the lead after the second round, flamed out on Saturday with a rugged round of 77, and while he posted a tidy 2-under-par final round yesterday, he was too far off the pace to contend.
Indonesian professional Jonathan Wijono and countryman Jubilant Harmidy won the pro-am title by two strokes with a combined score of 39-under.
NZ Open
Leading scores
-17: Takahiro Hataji (Japan)
-16: Scott Hend (Aus)
-15: Anthony Quayle (Aus), Josh Geary (NZ), Matthew Griffin (NZ)
-14: Ben Wharton (Aus), Brad Kennedy (Aus), Justin Warren (Aus), Ian Snyman (SAF)
-13: Kade McBride (Aus), Ben Campbell (NZ), Zack Swanwick (NZ), Louis Dobbelaar (Aus)
hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz (in Arrowtown)
