The 43-year-old New Zealander was one of 13 Australasian players to earn a place in golf’s most feted major championship, yet in a heartbreaking Instagram post on May 15, he announced publicly for the first time that he had withdrawn after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
The New Zealander was rock solid with an even-par final round of 72 to finish ahead of Order of Merit leader David Micheluzzi and claim a drought-breaking victory fresh off battling a shoulder injury.
He also becomes the first player to win the New Zealand Open twice since Greg Turner in 1997, and the first Australian to win twice since Bob Shearer in 1981.
Kiwi hopes rest on the shoulders of Michael Hendry and Harry Bateman, who both sit four shots off the lead, and Kieran Muir, who is a further shot adrift.
Gold Coast-based Michael Sim has completed the Queensland quinella after dropped shots and scoring miscalculations saw the final round of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship conclude in chaotic fashion.
Anthony Quayle is set to embark on a golf odyssey for the next 15 weeks as he chases lofty goals on both the PGA Tour of Australasia and Japan Golf Tour.
Australian Golf Digest
