New Zealand Golfers Fall Short at Australian PGA Championship

The wait for a New Zealand champion at the Australian PGA Championship continues as Kiwi golfers struggled during the final round. Competing at Royal Queensland on March 3, 2024, Kazuma Kobori, Nick Voke, and Daniel Hillier entered the day with hopes of securing the title but ultimately fell short. Spanish golfer David Puig delivered a remarkable performance, clinching his first major title with a five-under final round, finishing at 18-under overall, two strokes ahead of China’s Ding Wenyi.

Puig’s victory marked a significant achievement in his career, showcasing his skills on a warm Brisbane day where temperatures reached nearly 30°C. His control over the game was evident as he played with precision, demonstrating a strong short game and accurate driving. Starting the round as one of three co-leaders, he quickly asserted himself by making three birdies in the first four holes, creating pressure on his competitors.

Voke, ranked 559 in the world, was the standout performer among the New Zealand contingent. He made a commendable rise up the leaderboard, finishing tied for third with Australian veteran Marc Leishman at 15-under. Voke’s final round was flawless, featuring five birdies and concluding with a score of 66.

Meanwhile, Hillier also had a strong showing, finishing in fifth place alongside Australian golfer Min Woo Lee at 14-under. Hillier’s final round included six birdies but was marred by three bogeys, which ultimately hindered his chances for a higher finish.

The last New Zealand golfer to win this championship was Greg Turner in 1999, when he triumphed over Queenslander Shane Tait. Since then, only one non-Australian has won the title, with American Harold Varner taking the crown in 2016.

Kobori, who began the final round just a shot behind the leaders at 13-under, faced challenges early on. He recorded back-to-back bogeys on holes five and six, breaking a streak of 20 consecutive pars. His final round score of 75 placed him tied for 25th at 8-under. Despite the disappointing finish, Kobori can reflect positively on his tournament, which included a hole-in-one during his opening round of 69.

New Zealand’s top golfer, Ryan Fox, finished tied for 39th at 6-under after a final round of 68. Fox, currently ranked 41 in the world, had taken an eight-week break before the tournament and entered with modest expectations.

Another Kiwi competitor, Josh Geary, ended the tournament tied for 19th with a score of 9-under, following a solid final round of 67.

The Australian PGA Championship continues to be a challenging event for New Zealand golfers, as they seek to end a long title drought in this prestigious tournament.