10m putt puts Bea in Open

Sunwoo Bea, a South Korean based at the academy at the Harewood Golf Club, sank a spectacular 10-metre putt at the Russley club yesterday to win a place in the New Zealand Women's Open at the Pegasus club from February 25-28.

Bea and Auckland-based Korean Liv Cheng went to the 18th tee in the The Press 54-hole tournament tied on even par chasing the solitary spot in the Open. Sunwoo, who has a handicap of +5.6, was on the green in two after a superb second, and then sank the 10-metre eagle putt for a two-shot win. Her 54-hole score of 220 was two under par.

Sunwoo is among a group of Koreans who have been based at an academy at Harewood for the last three months. They were due to return to South Korea the week of the NZ Open but have decided to stay until after the tournament.

Sunwoo will take her place among some of the leading golfers in the world at the New Zealand Open which is a co-sanctioned event with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour and the Ladies' European Tour.

Canterbury golfers Catherine Knight and Elisha Crosbie finished in a tie for fifth on 229, seven over par.

Crosbie started the final 18 holes yesterday in second place after rounds of 72 and 74 on Saturday. She struggled to control her drives in the final round and slumped to an 83.

A second round 75 on Saturday cost New Zealand's Sarah Nicholson a chance of contesting the New South Wales Women's Open title yesterday. Nicholson finished the tournament in a tie for seventh with fellow Kiwi Cathryn Bristow. Both finished the 54-hole tournament on 212 – four under par. Nicholson's rounds were 66 75 71 and Bristow's 68 74 70.

The tournament was won by Australian Sarah Oh on 207, a shot ahead of Australian Katherine Hull.

LEADING SCORES

220 – Sunwoo Bea (Korea) 72 71 77
222 – Liv Cheng (Auckland) 75 72 75
228 – Rebecca Brownlee (North Harbour) 76 73 79
229 – Jo Sumin (Korea) 76 77 76, Ahn Heesoo (Korea) 73 78 78, Catherine Knight (Canterbury) 74 77 78, Elisha Crosbie (Canterbury) 72 74 83
231 – Monica Tulisi (Canterbury) 78 77 76

- © Fairfax NZ News