Mcconaghty pips Tatana in Challenge Cup
Regan Mcconaghty lifted the Challenge Cup on the back of an impressive second round at Palmerston North Golf Cup on Sunday.
The Manawatu¯ member carded a 69 to follow his first round 71 as he claimed a one-shot win over Junior Tatana in the fourth of five events on the Manawatu¯ Wanganui Golf Order of Merit series.
Tatana had fired the round of the day in the first round with a 68, but his 74 in the second round was not quite enough to secure him the win.
Feilding’s Liam Finlayson continued his fine run of form to come in third with rounds of 74 and 71 while Tony Chettleburgh was fourth (72, 75).
There were just 39 men entered in the field with the wet forecast believed to have contributed to the smaller than normal showing.
But the weather ended up being perfect for the tournament, which is also a key trial tournament for the representative squads.
The women’s event was won by Wellington’s Zhuoyi Hu.
The 12-year-old ran away with the title by 10 shots on the back of her first round 72.
Her second round of 77 was also the second best round of the women’s competition.
Wanganui young gun Tara Raj withdrew through injury.
The in-form Brydie Hodge was tied for second with Manawatu¯ ’s Lily Griffin.
Hodge carded an 81 in the first round and climbed up the leaderboard on the back of a second round of 78.
The Levin golfer has finished no worse than second through the first four tournaments this year.
Griffin had the same scores, but in opposite rounds.
Manawatu¯ pairing Mudra Lakhani and Tania Hook finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The final tournament in the ODM series is the Manawatu¯ Open on October 22.