Robert Gates wins New Zealand Open
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand – American Robert Gates raced to a six-shot lead on the front nine, saw it evaporate on the back, then steadied himself on the closing holes to seal a one-shot victory over Australian Michael Dodt in the Michael Hill New Zealand Open at The Hills golf course.Making his first start as a Nationwide Tour member, Gates became the 13th player to win in his debut. He finished with a 14-under-par 274 total and collected the top prize of $108,000 on a day when the wind whipped up to 25 mph.
Entering the final round with a three-shot lead, Gates made birdies on the first and third holes. With Dodt stumbling on the opening nine, the Florida native found himself with a seemingly insurmountable lead of six standing on the 8th tee. Gates’ bogeys on the 9th and 11th holes, followed by Dodt birdies on the 12th and 13th , trimmed the leader’s advantage to two. When the 6-foot 6-inch champion came up short in the stream fronting the par-3 16th and made double-bogey, the two 24-year-olds were even.
Both players landed near the hazard on the right side of the landing area on the par-5 17th, with Gates receiving a playable lie and Dodt a poor one. Gates saved his par with an 8-footer as Dodt wound up making a double-bogey. Gates had a two-shot cushion facing the The Hills’ No. 1 ranked hole.
His approach shot on the 18thran through the green into the short grass above the hole and, taking little time, cozied his pitch shot to 3 feet for the win. Dodt had put the pressure on him a moment before making one of only four birdies on the hole all day to claim solo second.
“It was no more than three feet and I hit a great chip (from back of 18th green),” the champion said. “I told Andrew’s caddy before he putted it that he was going to make it because he had played great all day and I have to give him a lot of credit.
“He fought very hard and made a great putt at the last and I really had to focus. I can’t tell you how many three-footers I’ve hit in my life-time, but that’s one I will definitely remember. I practice them a lot and I told myself it’s just another three-footer so get up there and hit it straight in and it went in,” Gates said.
“I felt good enough out there though it might not look like it. I hit almost every shot where I was looking to hit it – the only mishit was at 16 when it went into the water.
“It was tough conditions and the wind made it a great challenge. Andrew started to make putts when he needed to and it tightened up quick but in the end I was happy how it ended up.’’
Gates said just winning was more satisfying than any of the rewards that accompanied it.
“The trophy is nice and the check helps, but just knowing this week that I was able to play against some of the greatest golfers in the world and I was the best gives me encouragement that I’m doing things right.”
Dodt was gracious in defeat, saying he had met Gates for the first time on Saturday. “He’s a great guy and I’m happy for him. I wish him all the best.”
Gates, a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University who grew up in Gainesville, Fla., earned his Nationwide Tour playing privileges as a result of finishing T42 at December’s PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. Girlfriend Lauren Johnson of Houston caddied for him providing solid support and assistance throughout the week.
With the co-sanctioning arrangement of the Michael Hill New Zealand Open, Gates’ win makes him fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour through 2011 and the PGA Tour of Australasia through 2012 should he wish to accept membership.
Gates’ fellow Nationwide Tour rookie, Jamie Lovemark, played four steady rounds, closing with a 68 today to finish third. The former Walker Cup team member out of the University of Southern California, didn’t arrive in Queenstown until Wednesday midday after competing in the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Classic, which ended a day late on Monday.
Aussie Michael Curtain was playing with a heavy heart with his mother dealing with liver cancer. The Victorian, in third place starting the day, dropped to 9-under before rescuing his round with an eagle on the 17th hole. He finished 4th.
The best round of the day, 65, was turned in by Americans Casey Wittenbergof Memphis, Tenn. and Jim Carter of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Lovemark. Wittenberg finished tied for 6th, Carter tied for 9th.
The New Zealand Open is the country’s oldest golf championship dating back to 1907 and has been won by four World Golf Hall of Fame members, including four-time Open winner and New Zealand native Bob Charles.
Final-Round Notes:
* New Zealand’s prime minister John Key spent part of the final round at The Hills visiting with host Michael Hill, Tournament officials and players before following the leaders for a few holes.
* The leading New Zealander for the third time the Tournament has been played at The Hills was Josh Geary, whose two-under 70 left him 7-under and in a tie for ninth.
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