Robert Gates: Leading New Zealand Open
The first Nationwide Tour win after stretching his lead in the New Zealand Open is a big present for Robert Gates’ golf career. At the opening-season he shot a 4-under 68 to take three-stroke lead,
Gates, the 6-foot-6 former Texas A&M player making his Nationwide Tour debut, had a 16-under 200 total in the event also sanctioned by the PGA Tour of
The 24-year-old American rookie started the day with a one-shot lead at 12-under before putting in a near-faultless round to widen the gap at the top of the leaderboard to end at 16-under.
Gates was closely tracked by
Dodt, who also had an extremely solid round, finished in outright second on 13-under after shooting two-under for the day.
Compatriot Michael Curtain did enough to claim sole third place moving into the final round after his four-under for the day to sit at 11-under for the championship.
Australian Mark Hensby was the biggest mover of the day after his bogey-free round of 66 to finish tied for fourth on nine-under.
The 37-year-old Victorian, who has a PGA Tour win as well as three Nationwide Tour wins to his name, started the third round at three-under-par before climbing his way up the leaderboard and staying in contention for a final-round push.
Tataurangi was in excellent shape and was at 10-under after 15 holes before consecutive bogeys on the 16th and 17th.
Opening-round co-leader David Smail and Bradley Iles were the next best of the Kiwis to be tied for 15th on six-under-par at the completion of their rounds.
Smail, after starting the day at five-under, claimed five birdies during the day but disappointed himself with two bogeys and a double bogey on the par-four 3rd.
Iles finished his round at even-par, not quite accomplishing what he wanted from the day but still in with a chance of making some ground up on Sunday.
