Kiwis Around the World

Michael Wright

Von Nida Tour: Wright clinches Toyota Southern Classic

Michael Wright broke through for his first Von Nida Victory, holding off Nick Flanagan and James Nitties in the final round. Wright fired rounds of 65, 64, and 67 to finish the tournament at fourteen under par, one stroke ahead of Flanagan.

New Zealand professional results:

The Von Nida Tour now has a month's break before re-commencing in April with the Schweppes South Australian PGA Championship in Adelaide. Victorian Martin Doyle is the defending champion.

US PGA TOUR: Perry holds off Vijay to win Bay Hill Invitational

American Kenny Perry has won his first US TOUR victory since 2003, shooting a 12 under 276 to edge out Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell at the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

Perry held off Singh and Graeme McDowell by two shots to take claim his first win this year and his eighth US TOUR victory overall. Singh, who double bogeyed the final hole to finish tied for second with McDowell, has regained his World number 1 status on the Official World Golf Rankings.

New Zealand professional Craig Perks made his second cut in seven starts. However, with rounds of 75, 73, 76 and 71 he ended near the end of the field, tied for 63rd.

European/Asian Tour: Englishman Casey wins play-off at TCL Classic

Michael Campbell had his best finish of the year at the TCL Classis this week.

England's Paul Casey triumphed in the TCL Classic in China on Sunday after edging Irishman Paul McGinley with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off.

The 27-year-old Casey fired a final round of six-under-par 66 at Yalong Bay Golf Club for a 22-under-par 266 aggregate which was matched by McGinley, who equalled the course record of 63 that included five birdies on the trot from the 13th hole.

After both players pared the first extra hole played on the 18th, McGinley found bunkers with his drive and then his approach shot to hand the advantage to Casey. The talented Englishman drained a glorious 25-foot birdie putt to seal his fourth career title on the European Tour.

Michael Campbell had his best result for the year. With rounds of 68, 66, 70 and 68 he finished tied for 12th at 16-under par.