Taranaki golfer Sam Jones has been crowned the New Zealand long drive golf champion after winning a playoff at Clearwater Golf Resort on Saturday.
The 20-year-old was behind after the first three shots of the eight-ball playoff against Iain Dick who won the South Island event.
Jones' best shot was 284m with Dick on 287m. However on the seventh shot Jones was able to long drive 297m - 10m ahead of Dick's best shot to seal the victory.
"Winning this event really opens up a few doors for me," says Jones.
"I was watching the South Island competitors all day and seeing how the wind had gone from behind the long drivers to across the course more.
"It's great to get this title and I'm really looking forward to the world champs. It's been some difficult conditions over the past couple of weeks, but great to come through."
He'll travel to the world long drive championships in Oklahoma in August.
Newshub.
