Takahiro Hataji has created history with his first victory as a professional, becoming the first player from Japan to win the New Zealand Open in its 103-year history.
They got there in wildly fluctuating fashion, yet Aussie pair Matthew Griffin and Scott Hend will start the final round tied for the lead at the 103rd New Zealand Open.
One was close to quitting while the other never stops playing and now Matthew Griffin and Scott Hend are co-leaders after day one of the 103rd New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sports.
Just a month after turning 50, Hend’s final round of six-under 66 and 10-under total ensured he started the next phase of his career in perfect fashion.
Hend, chasing his 11th win on the Asian Tour and first in four years, came closest to catching the winner but hit his tee shot on the par-5 18th out-of-bounds and made a costly double-bogey.
Whether or not you agree with the logic behind filling the 2020 US Open field, it has indisputably produced the most delightfully diverse field of any golf tournament this year.
Scrivener’s jump of 24 spots to 35th in the Race to Dubai standings elevated him into the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai for the first time in his career.
Australian Golf Digest
