Aussie Millar wins Masters
After three super-consistent days, New Zealand golfer Daniel Pearce crashed out of contention as Australia’s Matthew Millar cruised to victory in the New Zealand Masters in Auckland.
Pearce led by two shots on nineunder entering the final round at Wainui Golf Club on Sunday.
However he carded a horror sevenover 78 to finish tied for sixth, nine shots off the pace.
Millar, meanwhile, closed with a third successive round of four-under 67 to win by four shots over two veteran pros.
Kiwi David Smail who finished seven-under while Australian Peter Fowler a shot further back.
The Canberra schoolteacher, 41, only returned to professional golf last year after an eight-year absence, in a bid to crack the Japan or European Tours.
A Japan Tour regular, Smail, ended up being Millar’s nearest challenger after firing a seven-under final round of 64.
Smail was left ruing a third round of 73 but showed his class with a run of five birdies on his first six holes in the final round.
Ryan Fox returned to his home town for the tournament and finished fourth on four-under, after a final round of 68.
He was tied with compatriot Harry Bateman whose scores were a model of consistency.
Another drawcard, New Zealand Open champion Michael Hendry, was tied for eighth on one-under, alongside compatriots Campbell Rawson and Nick Voke, the latter newly turned pro after a glittering college career in the US.