Siblings scorch strokeplay fields

It was a good weekend to have the surname Hodge at the Wellington 72-hole strokeplay at Miramar.

Levin siblings Tyler and Brydie Hodge claimed the men's and women's titles, the latter continuing a dream month after she won the national under-19 women's tournament.

Her elder brother, a New Zealand rep who also won a national under-19 crown two years ago, was utterly dominant in the men's event with a nine-stroke victory over Thomas Spearman-Burn and Minsoo Ko.

After dual rounds of 67, Hodge went to sleep on Saturday night in the box seat with a six-stroke lead over Hawke's Bay's Joshua Dasent and Remuera's Ko.

Yesterday's third round was littered by score blowouts as rain swept over the links. Dasent plummeted down the leaderboard, the in-form Jonathan Cane tumbled out of contention with an 81 and Hodge carded a 74, which still gave him a handy lunchtime buffer.

The left-hander nailed down the title with a final round of one-under 69 to finish three-under for the tournament on 277.

Spearman-Burn, on his home course, finished with 70 and 71 to draw level with Ko in second spot, while Shandon's Marc Jennings was a shot further back in fourth on 287.

The top-16 men qualified for the Wellington matchplay at Otaki in a fortnight.

Brydie Hodge, meanwhile, overcame a three-shot deficit entering the final round to win by three over Grace Senior (Wairakei). Hodge carded a final round 75 to finish on 310 while Senior signed for an 81, her worst round of the tournament.

Defending champion Te Rongopai Clay (Titahi) was third, four shots behind Senior.

Wellington No 1 Julianne Alvarez was missing as she returned from international duty. The top-eight women contest the matchplay in a fortnight.

- The Dominion Post