It was a game of two halves for the Otago men's golf team which posted two wins on Saturday but lost both matches yesterday to finish with four points and 14 games for third place in the South Island teams tournament which was played at Waimari Beach in Christchurch.
Canterbury and Tasman both beat Otago yesterday to finish first and second respectively but it was Otago's individual performances which were of greater interest.
At the conclusion of the event, the Otago selectors, Murray (convener) and Alan Rose, named the five players to represent Otago in the Toro Interprovincial Tournament at the Manawatu Golf Club's course from December 1 to 5.
With two wins and a half, Mitch Bosley (Wanaka) has played himself into the team having been promoted from No 6 to No 4.
Andrew Hobbs (St Clair) has been promoted to the No 3 position which has been vacated by Michael Minty (St Clair).
Minty remains in the team but will now play at No 5 while the top two players retain their spots.
Brent McEwan (St Clair) and Duncan Croudis (Otago) will lead the team which will need a substantial improvement on the form shown in Christchurch yesterday.
The casualty of the selections is the rapidly improving Brandon Hodgson (Otago), who finished with one half from his four matches in the event.
Otago Boys High School year 12 student Thomas Facer (Otago) has been named as the reserve for the team after posting two wins on Saturday.
Facer is one of two OBHS schoolboys in the team and he will compete in the opening rounds of the event.
He will take the place of Dundan Croudis (17) on the first two days as Croudis will arrive late to the tournament after competing for the New Zealand under-19 team in the Aaron Baddeley tournament in China in late November.
American golfer Phil Mickelson has won the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai after rallying past South Africa's Ernie Els.
Mickelson made two crucial putts down the stretch yesterday and closed with a three-under 69 to overcome a late charge by Els, who held the lead until hitting into the water on the last hole and making bogey.
Tiger Woods was never a factor in the final World Golf Championship of the year.
He fell six shots behind on the front nine and closed with a 72 to finish five shots back.
Mickelson won his first major at the 2004 Masters with a final birdie to defeat Els.
Mickelson won his second WGC event of the year, and won for the first time when playing with Woods in the final group.
New Zealand's Mark Brown improved seven places on the back of a four-under 68 to finish in a share of 31st place, while compatriot Danny Lee was 66th equal after shooting a 74.
