Kang soaks up pressure in pro-am

Dongwoo Kang
Dongwoo Kang
Gulf Harbour professional Dongwoo Kang held his nerve at just the right time to win the Hills Invitation ProAm in Arrowtown over the weekend.

Kang and James Anstiss, of Queenstown, were trading shot for shot until the 15th hole in the final round of the tournament at Sir Michael Hill’s Arrowtown course.

The duo started the day on 7-under after the first round on Saturday and after 14 holes on Sunday were still tied on 10-under.

Gareth Paddison, of Manor Park, was in the clubhouse having just finished an outstanding round of 64, 8 under par, to tie the leaders and a playoff looked likely. Paddison was imperious on the back nine with five birdies and an amazing eagle on the 344m 15th. His drive finished 30cm from the hole.

Kang birdied the 15th hole to take a one-shot lead, then Anstiss made the same mistake many others have made on the notorious par 3 16th.

The difficult pin placement towards the rear of the green required a precise tee shot. Unfortunately he came up a little short and found the creek. His three shots after the penalty left him with a double bogey. A birdie on the 17th hole and a par on the 18th left him tied for third on 9-under.

It was now Kang’s title to lose. A misjudgment of the following wind on the final hole had him overshoot the green several metres, going down into testing rough. Paddison was now wondering if he would have to get the clubs out again.

Kang had to play a precise shot to avoid a two-putt. His shot was brilliant, landing short of the pin and rolling just past the hole.

A nervy putt of just over 1m was no problem for Kang and he bagged the win.

Kang was thrilled with his victory and is looking forward to enjoying the one-year membership at The Hills which is in addition to the $10,000 winner’s purse.

He is spending a further week at Millbrook with his young family before returning to Auckland.

Ben Campbell, in his first competitive outing since early in the year, made an encouraging return, finishing sixth on 6-under.

He was close to the lead going into the back nine but ended up hitting one over in the final nine holes.

Tournament director Craig Palmer finished 13th and Fraser MacLachlan, also from Queenstown, was two places back in the 20-man field.

 - By Neville Idour

 

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