1-over-par in 4th Round of New Zealand Open, Finishes 5th
Pike Secures Come-from-behind Victory and Earns The Open Spot
Lee Dongmin and Kim Hakhyeong Tie for 29th, Kim Bio Finishes 59th
Ko Guntaek missed the ticket to The Open.
On the 4th round of the 104th New Zealand Open (total prize money NZD 2 million), which concluded on the 2nd at Millbrook Resort (Par 71, 6,784 yards) in Queenstown, New Zealand, he shot a 1-over-par 72 and finished 5th (21-under-par 263). Ko Guntaek, who led by 4 strokes until the 3rd round, faltered against the strong wind. He recorded 4 birdies and 5 bogeys. Ko aimed for his second chance to participate in the major tournament The Open, following last year, but did not achieve his goal. He earned the right to compete in The Open Championship by finishing 2nd at the Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) last May, which granted entry to the top three players.
Ryan Pike (Australia) secured a come-from-behind victory (23-under-par 261) by making 5 birdies without any bogeys. Jack Thompson (Australia), Ian Snyman (South Africa), and Higa Kazuki (Japan) tied for 2nd place (22-under-par 262). From Korea, Lee Dongmin and Kim Hak-hyeong finished tied for 29th (13-under-par 271), and Kim Bio ended tied for 59th (6-under-par 278). This tournament was co-hosted by the Asian Tour and the Australian Tour.
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