Josh Geary all the way in second Akarana Open win

Josh Geary with the trophy following his second win in the Akarana Open in Auckland. He previously won the same tournament in 2014.

Josh Geary led all the way to win the Akarana Open in Auckland for a second time.

Geary was the leader or equal leader at the end of each day’s play with rounds of 63, 64, 67 and 68 to finish at 18 under par in the $50,000 tournament sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson.

The 34-year-old had won the same event in 2014 and last month’s win continued some good recent form which included second in the 100th New Zealand Open near Queenstown.

“It feels great,’’ Geary said.

“It’s been a while between drinks but to get the job done under some pressure today was pleasing.”

Geary won by two shots but had to withstand a charge from Dongwoo Kang of Waikato.

Kang was five-under par at the turn on the final day and just one shot behind Geary.

But a vital birdie by Geary on the difficult 16th hole gave him a two-shot buffer down the home stretch.

“I have battled over the last two days and wasn’t playing my best,’’ Geary recalled.

“But I grinded it out and was able to get an important birdie on 16 so it was nice to finish strong.

“It’s great to get a win round here, especially at a track that doesn’t normally suit me.

“It’s quite tight and I don’t like that, so it’s a sign my game is in a good place.’’

Kang brought back memories of the previous year’s Akarana Open where he also made a charge but after recording two amazing rounds of 64 over the weekend, he will be slightly disappointed to have only recorded one birdie on the back-nine on the final day.

Mike Hendry who was consistent throughout the week finished with a birdie three in front of a packed clubhouse to join Kang in the runner-up position.

Auckland’s Jared Edwards completed the week as the leading amateur and a career-high fifth place finish on New Zealand’s Charles Tour. He was followed closely by Jimmy Zheng who shot the low-round of the tournament with a stunning nine-under 61 to rise 17 places up the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Caryn Khoo claimed her second Charles Tour title in dominant fashion with a four-shot win in the women’s division of the Akarana Open.

With a very safe final round of one over par, Khoo will put her victory down to a superb third round of four-under 68 which bolted her into contention and from there she never looked back.

This trophy will now sit alongside her Ngamotu Classic title which she won in 2017 as she continues to evolve as a player.

“It feels more like relief at the moment and its great to get the victory today,’’ Koo said.

“But it’s more important to help me continue building in confidence and have a good mindset under pressure.”

The 25-year-old had a three-stroke lead entering the 72nd hole before deciding to take it all into her own hands and pull driver which ended in success with a closing birdie to make things even sweeter.

“I got a bit shaky coming down the back nine but was able to hold myself together and just let loose and go on the last.”

In second place was the round one leader Eunseo Choi at just the age of 12 followed by Marina Ito.

Akarana Open RESULTS

(Men par 70)

262 Josh Geary (PGA New Zealand) 63 64 67 68

264 Dongwoo Kang (PGA New Zealand) 68 68 64 64
Michael Hendry (PGA New Zealand) 66 67 64 67

265 James Anstiss (PGA New Zealand) 64 66 67 68

267 Jared Edwards (Royal Auckland and Grange) 67 68 63 69

268 Jimmy Zheng (Howick) 66 69 72 61

269 Harry Bateman (Muriwai) 66 72 64 67

270 Jang Hyun Lee (Titirangi) 69 67 68 66

271 Jordan Woodall (Cambridge) 65 72 66 68, Daniel Pearce (PGA New Zealand) 67 64 67 73

272 Tae Koh (Windross Farm Golf Course) 70 66 70 66, Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 67 70 68 67, Denzel Ieremia (PGA New Zealand) 74 67 64 67

273 Kazuma Kobori (Rangiora) 69 68 70 66, Gareth Paddison (PGA New Zealand) 65 69 71 68, Daniel Hillier (Manor Park Golf Sanctuary) 68 64 69 72

274 Luke Brown (The Pines) 71 67 70 66, Mako Thompson (Maraenui) 69 69 69 67, James Hydes (Gulf Harbour Country Club) 69 70 66 69, Jordan Loof (PGA New Zealand) 63 71 70 70, Mark Hutson (PGA New Zealand) 68 69 67 70

275 Troy Ropiha (PGA New Zealand) 70 69 65 71, Dale Williamson (PGA New Zealand) 66 68 69 72

277 Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland and Grange) 67 73 69 68, Mat Perry (PGA New Zealand) 71 69 69 68, Sam An (Titirangi) 67 67 71 72

278 Thomas Heaton (Australia) 69 74 70 65, Mark Purser (PGA New Zealand) 70 69 68 71, Victor Janin (Rotorua) 72 68 67 71, Joshua Bai (Akarana) 68 65 71 74

279 Connor Barker (Remuera) 73 68 71 67, Trevor Marshall (PGA New Zealand) 67 74 69 69, Douglas Holloway (PGA New Zealand) 69 67 71 72, Chang Gi Lee (PGA New Zealand) 64 71 69 75

280 Johnny Tynan (Titirangi) 68 72 71 69, Hiroki Miya (Russley) 69 70 69 72

(Women, par 72)

284 Caryn Khoo (Pakuranga) 70 73 68 73

288 Eunseo Choi (Takapuna) 67 73 72 76

289 Marina Ito (Mt Maunganui) 73 71 71 74

293 Tara Raj (Wanganui) 74 72 72 75

295 Danika Lee (Takapuna) 72 75 72 76

297 Anna An (Muriwai) 71 76 76 74

301 Rhian Ishizawa (Rangiora) 75 72 73 81, Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 74 74 71 82

302 Rion Ishizawa (Rangiora) 76 71 76 79

303 Mimi Guo (Royal Auckland and Grange) 72 75 77 79

304 Mary Chen (Remuera) 75 72 78 79