With the wind no longer a factor and the course playing well, the contest became about who was best with the putter and the home-town golfers came up short.
Michael Hendry and Harry Bateman were the best of the New Zealand group, ending up on 15 under, both hitting four-under 67s at Millbrook yesterday. They finished tied for fifth, six shots behind the winner.
Next best was Kieran Muir who was two shots further back after he hit a 68 yesterday.
Hendry, who won the NZ Open in 2017, and has has two top three finishes in Australia this season, said he had played well but just could not get the putts to drop.
"The whole week the putter just did not gel with me. So I just thought to myself at least give them a chance to go in by getting them close to the hole," Hendry said.
"That is all I tried to do coming in. I had a lot of good shots but it just did not fall for me."
A costly miss at the 10th hole which led to landing in the bunker after a fine tee shot was too tough a hurdle to overcome for Hendry, especially when those behind him — Brad Kennedy and Lucas Herbert — were firing in birdies.
Overall, though, Henry was happy with his effort.
Hendry had been set to return to the Japan tour but that was uncertain because of coronavirus, and the tour was on hold at the moment.
He was set to play in New Zealand for the next five weeks and looking to get some form.
He had no plan B to go to if Japan was still a no-go by next month but was hoping business would be back on by then.
Thanks to an eagle on the 17th, Nick Voke was the next best New Zealander, on 10 under.
- Australian golfer Sam Eaves scored a hole on the 13th hole in his final round yesterday. The ace meant an Hyundai electric vehicle, valued at nearly $80,000, will go to one of three charities: Barnados, Mental Health Foundation of NZ and Sustainable Coastlines. Eaves won $5000 for his effort.
