Tyler Hodge has won the Charles Tour Super 6s title in front of his friends and family at Manawatu Golf Club.
The left-handed Levin professional got the monkey off his back by beating Wellington amateur Jayden Ford in the six hole final after prevailing against Mitchell Kale, Mason Lee, and Harry Bateman earlier in the day.
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Having been a perennial contender on the tour without getting over the line. He won the stroke play portion of the NZ Super 6s last year before losing in the second round, and recorded three second places and a third last year, adding to his second place finish at the Muriwai Open in 2016.
He also finished second at the New Zealand Stroke Play a few weeks ago and began to question if a victory would ever come.
However, his golfing story finally rewarded him with a win at a place he knows very well – his secondary home club.
“It’s a pretty indescribable feeling to be honest. I’ve been close since this tournament last year where I think I’ve had four runner up’s and a third, so it’s really nice to get this one over the line at home.
“There have been a lot of close calls, and it’s great to add my name alongside some really amazing names on a Charles Tour trophy. It’s nice to be a part of that.”
Hodge and Ford parred the opening two holes in the final before disaster struck for the Wellingtonian where he made an uncharacteristic double bogey on the short par 4 third. Hodge pounced by making a birdie, making the difference three with three holes to play.
The pair made a par and a birdie over the next couple, and Hodge headed to the final hole with a comfortable buffer, and just needed to avoid anything catastrophic to lift the trophy.
However, he sprayed his drive left into the trees while Ford hit an incredible drive to a couple of feet to setup and eagle.
With Hodge needing a par to win, he sent a flop shot towering over the trees onto the green, much to the crowd’s delight. He two-putted his way to victory, letting out a massive sigh of relief as the winning emotions began to sink in.
“I don’t ever cruise home, so I thought something unusual might happen coming down the stretch. Credit to Jayden, it was an unreal golf shot – probably the best he could have asked for. I’m just happy to sneak in.”
He now heads to Auckland for the Muriwai Open next week, and will be one of the tournament favourites.