Andrew Hobbs lipped out with a 20m birdie putt on the final green to lose one down to Waikato's Andrew McKechnie, which prevented Otago getting up for a half on the Maraenui course yesterday.
Hobbs was three down at the turn and then found himself four down with six holes to play in the Freyberg Masters (over-40) clash.
He won the 13th and 14th with birdies, and the 15th and 16th with pars, to be square with two holes to play.
McKechnie regained the lead by birdieing the 17th but Hobbs' missed putt on the final green put Waikato in front by a 3 to 2 margin.
At No 2, Oamaru's Gary Creedy remains unbeaten after four rounds, downing Wybo Belvman by 3 and 2 yesterday.
He was square with the card and three up after seven holes and then came home in regulation to shut Belvman out of the match.
Stephen Hitchcox turned one behind Phil Hunter but the Waikato No 3 took control when Hitchcox bogeyed three consecutive holes at the start of the homeward nine.
No 4 John McIntee turned two down in his match against Ken Shea and had difficulty getting back into the match when Shea putted him off the course on the homeward nine.
Meanwhile, Kyle Geary gave Otago its second win, beating the experienced John Gantley on the final green.
Geary turned two up but Gantley fought back to be square with two holes to play.
The match went Geary's way when Gantley three-putted the 17th green while Geary made an easy birdie on the final hole after his approach finished beside the cup.
Otago will play Aorangi this morning and Tasman in the afternoon.
