AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Sweden's Niclas Fasth won the New
Zealand Open on Sunday for his second European tour title, beating
England's Miles Tunnicliff with a 15-foot birdie putt on the second
hole of a playoff.
Fasth, also the 2000 Madeira Island Open winner, closed with a
9-under 63 to match Tunnicliff (66) at 22-under 266 on the Gulf
Harbour course. Tunnicliff made a 20-foot birdie putt on the final
hole of regulation to force the playoff.
After opening with rounds of 65 and 63, Fasth overcame a
third-round 75 to win his second European tour title. The
32-year-old Swede, a member of the 2002 European Ryder Cup team,
had an eagle and seven birdies in his bogey-free final round.
"At the end of my round I was feeling very tired and I was
hoping it wouldn't go to a playoff," Fasth said. "When it did, I
just tried to stick to my game and to finish with a birdie was
fantastic."
Australians Richard Green (68) and Simon Nash (67) tied for
third at 18 under.
England's Oliver Wilson, the third-round leader, shot a 74 to
tie for seventh at 15 under in the event co-sanctioned by the
European and Australasian tours.
England's Steve Webster followed his third-round 80 with a
course-record 62 to tie for 41st at 7 under.