Fraser Wilkin wins Panasonic Auckland Strokeplay
Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland) learned valuable lessons on the first day of the Panasonic Auckland Strokeplay Championship and put them into practice on the second day to win by two shots from Mt.Maunganui's Ben Taylor. Quick greens and blustery conditions tested the course management of the players; it was crucial to keep the ball under the hole or risk disasterious consequences.
Local hope Rosco Valentine lead the field after the first 36 holes with a score of 150 followed by North Shore's Cameron Jones and Remuera's Scott Johnson on 153. Wilkin posted the only sub par round of the tournament in the third round to gain the lead by one over Robertson and Titirangi's Brian Joe. Highlight of Wilkin's round was an eagle on the 329 metre par four 15th hole where he drove the green and sunk a 6 metre putt. He followed that up with a birdie at the 16th to post a two under 69.
Wilkin's lead was threatened half way through the final 18 holes when he posted a three over 37 on the front nine. However, he consolidated his lead by shooting par over the last 9 holes to record a two stroke win. Leading scores were:
298 - Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland) 76, 79, 69, 74
301 - Ben Taylor (Mt.Maunganui) 76, 80, 72, 73
305 - Scott Robertson (Remuera) 76, 77, 72, 80
307 - Rosco Valentine (Remuera) 78, 72, 81, 76
308 - James Eng (Remuera) 76, 79, 74, 79; Cameron Jones (North Shore) 77, 76, 77, 78
Posted: Mon 21 Nov 2011
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