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Kim Beats O’Hair in Playoff to Win Kiwi Challenge

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – Anthony Kim slashed his way to a bogey 6 on the first playoff hole Thursday, but it was good enough to defeat Sean O’Hair and earn $1 million first prize at the Kiwi Challenge at Cape Kidnappers.

Kim, who was runner-up a year ago, closed with a final round of 5-under-par 66 for a 36-hole total of 137. O’Hair, who shot 69-137, hit a wedge to 4 feet on the 18th hole and made his birdie to tie Kim, who had led from the 12th hole until the last.

Hunter Mahan finished with a 67 for at 2 under total of 140 over the par 71, 7,187-yard layout. Camilo Villegas shot 72 for a total of 1 under 141.

In the playoff on the 650-yard par-5 15th, O’Hair found trouble left of the tee for the second time on the day. He made double bogey 7, allowing Kim breathing room to reach the green in four and two-putt for the win.

“It feels wonderful,” said Kim. “I did what I had to do to win, and fortunately I made a couple putts.

Kim started dropping putts early in the second round, with three consecutive birdies to get to 3-under after five holes, just one stroke off the lead held by O’Hair. O’Hair and Kim battled the rest of the way, with Kim holding a one-stroke advantage heading to the 15th.

“That tee shot just doesn’t appeal to my eye,” said O’Hair. “I probably should have hit a 5-wood and just blocked it out to the right. But at 650 yards you feel like you have to hit driver. The bottom line is I just didn’t execute.

“But I played really well; well enough to win. If I had just made a par on 15 the first time around, I wouldn’t have been in a playoff.”

O’Hair had led or shared the lead from the second hole on, where he made eagle with a 30-foot putt. He shot 3-under 68 to lead after first round as well. Kim was 3 strokes back at that point with a 71.

Defending champion Hunter Mahan rallied with five birdies on his first nine holes Thursday to reach 3 under par and gain a momentary share of the lead, but his bogeys on the 10 and 15 derailed him.

“I played nine good holes and 27 bad holes,” said Mahan, who shot a course-record 65 on his way to winning last year.

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – Results after Thursday’s second and final round of the Kiwi Challenge, played at the par 71, 7,187-yard Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort:

Anthony Kim                      71-65--137 (-5)

Sean O’Hair                        68-69-7--137 (-5)

Hunter Mahan 73=67--140 (-2)

Camilo Villegas  69-72--141 (-1)