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Kennedy’s stunning 63 secures his second New Zealand Open
WELLINGTON, March 1, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Brad Kennedy carded a remarkable
eight-under-par final-round 63 to come from behind to win golf’s New Zealand
Open by two strokes on Sunday.
Kennedy, who won the tournament in 2011, started the day two shots behind
fellow Australian Lucas Herbert but stormed to victory at the Millbrook
Resort course in Queenstown, finishing on 21 under-par 264.
“To do this again after nine years is just unbelievable,” said Kennedy of
his second win in the event which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the
Australasia PGA Tour.
“I actually posted a number in my head last night, 21 was the number, and
I didn’t think I’d reach it but I just knew that this course was out there to
be had, the course is playing unbelievable.” The in-form Herbert, who won
the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic in January, had a costly double-
bogey on the 13th.
He fought back with three consecutive birdies and, needing another at the
18th to force a playoff, instead dropped a shot for a 67 that left him two
strokes adrift of Kennedy.
South Korean 17-year-old Kim Joo-hyung, who shared the overnight lead with
Herbert, could only manage a final-round 70 for fourth place on 16-under par,
a shot behind third-placed Australian Nick Flanagan.
Geoff Ogilvy of Australia, the 2006 US Open champion, had a disappointing
final round of four-over 75 to slip back to a share of 54th on two-under for
the tournament.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1411 hrs