Australian Paul Spargo bagged a 4m birdie putt on the first extra hole in pre-qualifying to claim the final place in the field for the New Zealand Open near Queenstown this week.
Four places were up for grabs with 104 golfers chasing a start in the New Zealand Open at the pre-qualifying at Russley Golf Club in Christchurch.
Three Australian professionals, Ed Stedman, Tom Prowse and Marcus Cain took full advantage of the more placid morning conditions to post scores of three-under par 69.
The easterly picked up which made it tough for the afternoon field, with the top eight scores coming from the morning tee times.
Five players shared fourth place on two-under par 70 - Spargo, Europe-based New Zealander James Gill, fellow-professional Hamish Robertson and two New Zealand amateurs, Matt Perry of Hamilton and local Russley club player Owen Burgess.
Gill, Robertson and Burgess made pars on the first extra hole while Perry three-putted for bogey. However Spargo, the last to play, calmly slotted his 4m birdie putt to grab the final place in the field for the Open.
Spargo, from Adelaide, said he has a new lease on life and the game after some time away from golf. He has a new coach and new sports psychologist and is showing signs of form, leading after 27 holes at the NZPGA Championship over the weekend.
"I played the first year at The Hills and did quite well. I am delighted to be able to play in a tournament of this stature. I've got great memories of The Hills and I am very excited about playing this week," the 29-year-old said.
Stedman (NSW) was pleased with his efforts today, mixing six birdies with three dropped shots in his 69 and hopes this week's start in the New Zealand Open will boost his career which has included three victories in Taihiti, Vanuatu and Denmark.
Cain and Prowse made 10 birdies between then in solid displays in the still morning conditions.
There was disappointment for Gill, the 2008 Eisenhower representative, who is playing professionally in Europe. He turned at one-under and recorded two birdies and one dropped shot in his 70.
The final field for the 92nd New Zealand Open, starting on Thursday, will be released tomorrow.
