Nick Voke adds to home chances of NZ Open success
Nick Voke – all smiles after a tight finish – image Brett Costello PGA of Australia
New Zealand golf has seldom been on such a high as it is at present and just a few days away from its flagship event, the New Zealand Open, its chances of just a third victory in the event in the last 22 years have increased as a result of Josh Geary’s win in Victoria two weeks ago and today’s win by Aucklander Nick Voke in the TPS Sydney event at Castle Hill.
Geary’s win was emphatic, taking the title at 13th Beach by four shots in the most demanding conditions and, today, Voke held on for a one-shot victory over Queensland’s Jake McLeod after leading by four into the final round and by five shots with just five holes to play.
With just two holes to play the difference was just one after consecutive birdies by McLeod at the 15th and 16th and bogeys by Voke at the 14th and 16th.
The seemingly inevitable victory by Voke soon developed into a grim battle for his first PGA Tour of Australasia victory but he managed to hold on to win and in doing so earns A$45,000 and moves to 17th on the Challenger Tour Order of Merit.
Importantly for Voke however is the form he has found ahead of the $NZ 2 million New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort next week and with he, Geary, Daniel Hillier, Mike Hendry, Steve Alker, Ben Campbell and Danny Lee in the field, the chances of a rare homegrown victory have improved significantly.
McLeod had his chances at the 17th and 18th but was unable to convert as Voke, a former star while attending Iowa State University, held on for a fourth professional win to go with three in China.
Such was the domination of the pair that there was a gap of six shots between McLeod and the 3rd placed Will Florimo, Travis Smyth and yet another New Zealander Tyler Wood.
Cassie Porter, now qualified to play the LPGA Tour but without starts in their current Asian swing, was the leading female when she shared 13th place.
The Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia now moves to Arrowtown near Queenstown for the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
