North Harbour golf professional Michael Hendry, 29, made a clutch birdie on the first sudden death hole to claim his victory at the Carrus
Tauranga Open.
Hendry and overnight leader Peter Fowler finished tied on 12-under par in a tight final round with six players within touch of the lead with four holes to play at Tauranga Golf Club.
The North Harbour player sank a 4m birdie attempt when they replayed the18th hole to claim his first four-round professional victory in the opening tournament in the Charles Tour, a joint venture with New Zealand Golf and the NZPGA for professionals and elite amateurs, both male and female.
Hendry fired a two-under 68 in his final round while Fowler, the former New Zealand and Australian Open champion, could only manage a two-over 72 to drop back to the pack after taking a three shot lead into the last round.
The pair finished one shot ahead of Taihape's Hamish Robertson and Japan Tour professional Richard Lee with a further shot back to Wellington's Andrew Green and Taupo's Troy Ropiha who were tied for fifth.
