New Zealand professional golfer Pieter Zwart has won the Sheraton Golf Classics 2017 (Pro-am) at Denarau Golf and Racquet Club on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was the inaugural winner of the tournament six years ago and he shot an impressive 19 under par for 269 (65, 65, 67, and 72).

“It was good to win my second since winning it in 2011,” he said.

“It was good fun of golf, it was tricky but I enjoyed much of it. Every day I had the lead going to the final round where I shot par (72) it was good, most enjoyable and good quality course and its going better.”

The Zimbabwean-born golfer walked away $11 000 for the win.

Kieran Muir who won the Fiji Open last week was on second spot for one shot behind 270 (66, 69, 69, and 66).

Local pro Tomasi Tuivuna who shot a total of 271 (69, 66, 71, 65) still could not believe his efforts in the four rounds.

“It was a grand putt of four rounds and I just could not believe to come out well in the course,” he said.

NZ’s Harry Bateman (66, 70, 71, 65) and Luke Toomey (71, 66, 69, 66) were tied in fourth spot with at 272.

Glen Joyner of Australia topped the seniors with a gross of 274 (66, 70, 67, and 71).

Fiji’s Sam Lee, Jason Wood and Rajiv Prasad all tied for 9th spot with 279.

Tournament organiser Richard Ellis says the tournament has also seen great golfers while locals have improved a lot since 2011.

“This is the biggest pro-am in the South Pacific with 176 players and 46 professionals from all over the world,” he said.

“It is a unique event with professionals winning prize money in the team’s event.

“This is great sports tourism and pumping with over $1million dollars this year to the Fijian economy.”

Sheraton Fiji resort manager Ravindra Dhesi applauded the sponsors for their support to the event which has grown:

OTHER RESULTS

Overall gross winner- Olaf Allen Jnr on count back from Zac Kirk (8 under par); Overall Stableford – Paul Yui, (13-27) Jay Parshottam; Ladies overall gross winner -Christine Fredericks (85);  Ladies Woman Stableford winner – Alexis Kirk (154).

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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