Challenger PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA
Takahiro Hataji Creates History Winning The New Zealand Open
Takahiro Hataji has become the first golfer from Japan to win the 103-year-old New Zealand Open. The superb one-shot victory is the 30-year-old’s maiden title as a professional. Hataji scored the narrow win after producing a bogey-free 4-under 67 at on Sunday at Millbrook Resort, Queenstown, to reach 17-under.
Hataji, who claimed five top-5 results during the 2023 Japan Golf Tour, is the first Japanese winner on the Challenger PGA TOUR of Australasia since Isao Oaki was victorious at the Coca-Cola Classic at Royal Melbourne in 1989.
Australia’s Scott Hend was hoping to become the oldest winner of the New Zealand Open in the modern era surpassing Kel Nagle. The 51-year-old held a share of the lead playing the 72nd hole after making birdies at the previous two holes. However, a three-putt bogey left him one-shot from forcing a playoff with Hataji. Hend finished in solo second place at 16-under.
Drummond Golf Ambassador Matt Griffin was searching for his second win on the Challenger PGA TOUR of Australasia in 2024. Griffin, who won the Heritage Classic in January, finished one-shot further back at 15-under to share third place with Anthony Quayle and Josh Geary.
Final Scores
1. Takahiro Hataji -17
2. Scott Hend -16
T3. Matthew Griffin -15
T3. Anthony Quayle -15
T3. Josh Geary -15
T6. Ben Wharton -14
T6. Brad Kennedy -14
T6. Ian Snyman -14
T6. Justin Warren -14
Image Credit: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
