GEORGE, South Africa (Feb. 11, 2013) -- Australia held their nerve against a spirited challenge from New Zealand to complete a superb victory at the inaugural Ten Nations Cup at Kingswood Golf Estate in George, South Africa on Saturday.
Brady Watt (WA), Lucas Herbert (VIC), Ryan Ruffels (VIC) and Geoff Drakeford (VIC) combined to win the international team competition with a 38-under-par total of 826, finishing just a single shot clear of the Kiwis.
England took third on 31 under, Argentina finished six shots back in fourth on 839 and Scotland took fifth on 22-under-par 842. Colombia posted a 213 to take sixth on 847 while South Africa, who launched a third round comeback with a 10 under 206 on Friday, made up another 11 shots in the final round to take seventh on 13-under-par 851.
Ireland finished in eighth place on 861 and France finished with a total of 877.
Australia’s final round 205 was a combination of a 70 from Watt, a 69 from Drakeford and a superb six-under-par 66 from 16-year-old Herbert.
Team coach David Nable said the side was absolutely thrilled with the victory.
“It’s incredible to have won the Ten Nations Cup and to have Australia’s name on the trophy,” he said.
“We came over here with the hope of winning it. To have done it, is really incredible.”
But the final round was a tightly fought contest and New Zealand certainly gave the Aussies a run for their money.
Starting three shots off the pace, Tyler Hodge holed a long putt at the 18th for a 68, Vaughan McCall carded a 69 and Blair Riordan knocked in seven straight birdies between the third and ninth holes on his way to a six under 66.
But their final round 203 left the Kiwis an agonising shot short of Australia’s target.
"Credit to New Zealand, because they really brought it home strong and were able to make it a very close match in the end,” Nable said.
“It’s a very proud moment for the team. Brady shot that course record 62 on Thursday, our young 14-year-old Ryan Ruffels shot a seven-under-par on Friday and Lucas brought it home with his 66.
“We are looking forward to the SA Stroke Play next week. Hopefully Australia can have another good week in South Africa.”
Watt, who recently joined the Golf Australia National Squad, won the Individual Competition. The world number five finished with a 72-hole total of 18-under-par 198, three shots clear of New Zealand’s Hodge and four ahead of Colombia’s Carlos Ernesto Rodriguez.
The Australians now head to the SA Stroke Championship . The tournament tees off at Oubaai Golf from 12-15 February.
TEAM LEADERBOARD – FINAL RESULTS
826 Australia 216-202-203-205827 New Zealand 209-215-200-203833 England 212-208-207-206839 Argentina 212-212-202-213842 Scotland 211-207-218-206847 Colombia 214-217-203-213851 South Africa 217-223-206-205861 Ireland 214-222-211-214877 France 215-221-217-224
