Leaders Hold Firm at Freyberg Masters

Freyberg Masters - Hamilton Golf Club (Facebook)
Freyberg Masters - Hamilton Golf Club (Facebook)

Manawatu Wanganui have maintained their perfect record to sit atop the standings after day two at the Freyberg Masters held at Hamilton Golf Club.

They put on a strong performance this morning against Taranaki taking the contest five games to nil to further cement their place at the top of the points standings.

However, they would have their work cut out for them in round four against a strong Canterbury outfit; but they were more than up to the task.

Number five Denny Thompson scraped home with a narrow 1up victory over Jonathan Stieller to get Manawatu Wanganui’s first point on the board and remain undefeated.
Number four Todd Nicholson also maintained his perfect record with a 3&1 win over Brett Turner.

Canterbury’s Jason Sincock managed to steady the ship of the men in red and black with a 2up victory over Phil Hooper, but that would be their only point.

Manawatu Wanganui came home strong with a 4&3 win to Tony Chettleburgh and a 3&2 win to number one Junior Tatana who has also made four wins from four games.

They’ll sit on the side-line tomorrow of the Freyhberg Masters as they have their bye and will watch an intriguing battle between two unbeaten teams in Tasman and Wellington in a crucial round five match.

Defending champions Bay of Plenty continued a great defence of the title also sitting on three wins from as many games. Although struggling early against Hawkes Bay, they rallied for a 3 ½ – 1 ½ win this afternoon.

Round three produced a further upset with Southland defeating the pre-tournament favourites Auckland three games to two.

In the deciding match, Peter Buckley birdied seven of the last 10 holes to come from four down against former international Brent Paterson to win 2up and seal the victory for the southerners.

Whilst it hasn’t been Auckland’s tournament to date, on Tuesday their number three Scott Robertson recorded a hole in one on the 14th hole.

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