Photo: Simon Watts/www.bwmedia.co.nz
Christchurch golfer Kazuma Kobori has won the individual honours at the Eisenhower Trophy world amateur teams championship, leading New Zealand to a top-five finish in Abu Dhabi.
Kobori is the second New Zealander to claim the top individual spot at the biennial global tournament, following Phil Tataurangi in 1992.
The 21-year-old fired a brilliant seven-under 65 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, finishing with a chip-in on the 18th hole, helping the three-man New Zealand side to an eight-under team total in the final round and a vast improvement on their overall placing of 35th two years ago.
Their tally of 23-under was good enough for equal fifth, 13 shots behind runaway winners the United States.
Kobori, who battled illness for much of the week, says his game felt solid over the weekend.
"I played really nicely over the last few days. I think I made a total of 16 birdies which is always fun," he said.
He shot 70, 70, 67 and 65 to seal the individual honours over US Amateur champion Nick Dunlop.
It continues a brilliant year for Kobori, who has already won the Australian Amateur, the Western Amateur, and the US Elite Amateur Series.
Taranaki's Sam Jones shot the second counting score on Sunday, shooting a one-under 71, contributing to the team score for a third time, while Jayden Ford shot even in his final round.
The trio head to Melbourne to compete in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship this week.
- RNZ