Geary and Oh last golfers standing at windswept Vic Open
Josh Geary – image Australian Golf Media
On one of the most demanding days for scoring in Australian tournament golf in recent memory, New Zealand’s Josh Geary and Victorian Su Oh have emerged the winners of their respective Vic Open titles.
Both victories were achieved in very contrasting manners, Geary leading virtually throughout after taking the lead during round two to win by four, while Oh came from seven shots off the lead on the final day to win by one.
In blustery winds which swept the Beach Course at 13th Beach over the final two days, Geary’s final round of 78 was still good enough to see him home by four over Scottish raised but now Perth based Connor McKinney with New Zealanders Kerry Mountcastle and Mike Hendry and NSW’s Austin Bautista another shot back in a share of 3rd place.
So difficult was the scoring in the near 50-kilometer winds that McKinney’s final round of 70, one of the three best of the day, moved him from a share of 23rd overnight to his second place as was the case with Mountcastle who was also round in 70 to improve from 27th to his share of 3rd.
For Geary however, it was the 40-year-old’s second Australasian Tour title, coming nearly 12 years after his first.
“It’s the hardest round of golf I’ve had to play,” the new champion told PGA Tour of Australasia.
“It’s hard enough trying to close out a tournament, let alone in those conditions which meant literally you can make any score from anywhere.
“If you’d asked me if I shot 78 tomorrow if I’d still have a four-shot margin, I’d tell you you’re dreaming, but that’s just how hard it was.
“I’m super happy, obviously, and stoked to get it done.”
Geary has been a prolific winner of titles in his homeland and has won on both the Canadian and China Tours but has perhaps not delivered to the extent his undoubted talent suggested he might when turning professional 18 years ago.
He had his moments on day four, dropping eight shots in nine holes in the middle of his round but he was not alone as he tried to negotiate some of the most difficult scoring conditions he and many in this field had faced.
Geary though was always ahead on day four and although the 54-hole margin of four was reduced to three on occasions, those nearest to him were also suffering and it would be McKinney who would get closest in the end, albeit four from the winner.
Geary moves to 13th on the current PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit and finds form ahead of his own national open in New Zealand in three weeks’ time, an event in which he has several top 5 finishes to his name including when sharing 3rd place last year.
The women’s title went to Su Oh, a former LPGA Tour player, who lost her status there in 2022 and who has struggled with her game since.
A decision to move to West Australian coach Ritchie Smith has seen her slowly but surely rebuild confidence in a game that saw her as one of this country’s most exciting prospects several years ago and winning the Australian Women’s PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters.
Oh began the final day with seemingly little hope of catching the leaders when seven shots off the lead and tied for 10th but on a day where anything would become possible her final round of 74 was good enough to get her close to the lead and as those ahead of her compounded over the final nine holes she ran out the winner by one over Japan’s Shina Kanazawa.
Su Oh – image Australian Golf Media
