New Zealander Michael Hendry fought back from a near-disastrous quadruple bogey late in the day to take out the New Zealand PGA pro-am championship by two strokes on Sunday in Queenstown.
Australian Andrew Martin went into the final round at The Hills with a one-stroke lead over compatriot Brody Ninyette, with Hendry a shot further back in third.
The New Zealander started the final round with five successive birdies and despite a bogey on the par-four eighth, looked well in control and had built a three-shot lead over Martin with four holes to play
But Hendry’s quadruple bogey on the par three 16th let Martin right back into contention, and the Victorian held a one-shot lead with two holes to play.
Hendry showed excellent focus to birdie the 17th, then putted out for par on the 18th leaving Martin, who bogeyed the 17th, needing a birdie on the last to force a playoff.
He couldn’t manage it, falling short with another bogey to finish on even par 72 in a tie for second with first-round leader Mark Brown of New Zealand.
Auckland rookie pro Ryan Fox shot four-under 68 to finish a clear fourth with 275.