32-year-old Australian golfer Lindsey Wright has returned from the golfing wilderness to win the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open hosted by Christchurch.
Wright, once No 12 in the world before taking time out of theCallaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set
with a loss of form, nailed a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to claim victory at Pegasus Golf and Sports Club near Christchurch on Sunday.
Playing the last, the overnight leader was tied with compatriot Jessica Speechley and American Alison Walshe, who were sitting in the clubhouse at nine-under, before Wright landed the crucial winning putt.
"It's unbelievable. It's still sinking in. I putted really well all day and the last six holes I was really nervous," said Wright. "I haven't been in this position for a while and I thought to myself 'I can win this by Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set
.'"
"I looked at the leaderboard and saw Alison Walshe up there and Speechley at nine-under and thought 'No, I can make this putt. Just keep your head down, just hit a great putt. My caddy was more shocked that I was I think."
Wright shot a final round four-under 68 to finish on 10-under 206, a shot ahead of Walshe and Speechley who shot rounds of 69 and a tournament-low seven-under 65 respectively.
Experienced Canadian Lorie Kane and Australia's Stephanie Na both shot 69s to finish in a share of fourth place on eight-under, with five Americans in the top-10.
Leading New Zealander was 17-year-old Cecilia Cho, the World No 3 ranked amateur, who shot a three-under 69 to finish on five-under. She edged her good friend and rival Lydia Ko by one shot to bring the curtain down on her outstanding amateur career as she returns to Korea to turn professional.
"I have watched Lydia play Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set and she was good this week. It is good being out of the spotlight but I am fine being in the spotlight as well," said Cho.
"It's good to get some momentum before I turn professional. It would have been nice to score lower but it's been a good tournament.
"I am going to miss so much about New Zealand. I am going to miss travelling with teams but turning pro is a new challenge and I am excited about that."
There was considerable interest in Ko to again show her immense talents well beyond her years. While her putter had been a key all week, on the day she most needed it most, it went as cold as the weather.
Ko had to be content to finish with a two-over 74 today to finish on four-under in a tie for 17th place and was quick to acknowledge the performance of her good friend Cho.
"Her Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set playing good improved my game and hopefully me playing good improved her game," said Ko.
"She is soon going and it is quite sad. She has been a friendly rival and I am going to miss her.
"I played Callaway - Women's RAZR X Iron-Hybrid Combo Set good today but my putts didn't roll in today like the other two days," she added.
"I won the NSW Open and Australian Amateur so not winning here is not going to make me depressed or too disappointed."