New Zealand dominant World Speedgolf titles
New Zealand have claimed five of the eight individual and team world titles contested at the largest Speedgolf World Championships in history.
Harry Bateman and Amy Linton have been crowned world champions following two days of competition at the hitford Park Golf Club in Auckland.
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Both players produced birdies on the 18th hole to seal their respective titles completing impressive final-round comebacks to claim the elite men's and women's crowns on home soil.
Competing in a record 108-player field at the first Speedgolf World Championships held in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand also secured a clean sweep of the elite men's podium, with Jamie Reid and Brad Hayward joining Bateman in the top three.
Bateman entered the final round trailing overnight leader Reid by three minutes and 17 seconds after the former world champion opened with a level-par 71 completed in just 38 minutes and 39 seconds.
However, Bateman produced the stronger golfing performance on the final day, recording his own level-par 71 in 39 minutes and 31 seconds for a second-round speedgolf score of 110:31.
His closing birdie helped take his 36-hole total to 223:27, enough to claim the world title by just 55 seconds over Reid, who completed his second round in 38 minutes and 43 seconds but required 76 strokes.
Bateman admitted the result had come as something of a surprise, having struggled with his game in the weeks leading into the championship.
"Still struggling to believe it. It's pretty crazy," Bateman said "To be honest, my game hasn't been in great shape the last month or so, and I didn't really think I'd be able to get it done this week. But I just had a good time and I know the course pretty well, so that helped."
Despite chasing Reid on the leaderboard, Bateman said his biggest concern throughout the final round was being caught by his fellow Kiwi on the course.
"I was just terrified he was going to catch me. [They] only gave us three minutes, which I thought was a bit aggressive. And I just had images of him catching me down the last hole or something.
"I was able to run hard enough and just hold him off. The golf was just a rollercoaster like golf usually is. But I didn't really make any putts for the first 14 holes and then made two great putts coming in, which proved to be the difference."
Bateman's approach into the final green finished approximately eight feet from the hole, setting up the decisive birdie. Remarkably, he revealed that watching Linton finish her own championship-winning round had given him the inspiration to convert the putt.
"Just standing over that putt I just thought of Amy. Thought if Amy can do it, I can do it, and just knocked it in and then just sprinted over the finish."
Unaware of Reid's score until the result was confirmed, Bateman described the feeling of becoming world champion as one of disbelief and excitement.
The result adds another significant achievement to Bateman's growing speedgolf résumé.
A regular on the Summerset Charles Tour, Bateman established a new official men's 18-hole speedgolf world record at the Wairarapa Speedgolf Open in February, shooting 70 in just 36 minutes and 14 seconds for a combined score of 106:14.
That mark stood for just six weeks before fellow New Zealander Robin Smith lowered it to 104:09 at Waipu Golf Club in March.
Bateman's victory also came against a formidable domestic field, including Reid, who won the individual and team world titles in Florida in 2022 and claimed his seventh TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open title earlier this year.
Reid finished runner-up on 224:22, while Hayward took third on 232:07 to complete an all-New Zealand podium.
For Bateman, hearing the national anthem alongside his fellow Kiwis made the achievement even more memorable.
"That's very special. That was a nice touch. I didn't know that was gonna happen. Obviously, this is the first time I've played at world champs. It could be once in a lifetime type thing, you know? So that was really special. Loved it."
It was an equally impressive comeback in the elite women's championship, where Linton overcame France's Emily Mollard to secure the world title.
Mollard had established a two-minute and 17-second advantage after Wednesday's opening round, but Linton delivered an outstanding final performance, improving both her golf score and running time.
After opening with 80 strokes in 55 minutes and 27 seconds, Linton returned on Thursday with a two-over-par 74 completed in 52 minutes and 47 seconds.
Her final-hole birdie capped a superb round and helped secure a combined total of 262:14, giving her victory by two minutes and 42 seconds over Mollard, who finished on 264:56.
Linton described becoming world champion as "a bit unbelievable" and said she had found another level in the final round as she chased down the overnight leader.
"I'm really happy with how I played the second day. I just kind of got in the zone and I just felt like I had tunnel vision and I was just hunting people down," Linton said.
On the decisive final hole, Linton said she had "smoked driver" before hitting a nine-iron approach into the green to set up the championship-clinching birdie.
Mollard's challenge also brought the best out of Linton, who praised the standard of competition throughout the women's field.
"She's a fantastic athlete and an amazing golfer. For that level of competition to be there, it just pushes you to that next level, and you know that you've gotta be on your game to get into the top three. So being able to pull off a win was really special."
Defending world champion and fellow New Zealander Liz McKinnon completed the podium in third on 270:26.
Linton's victory continues an impressive year for the Kiwi, who successfully defended her TORO New Zealand Speedgolf Open title at Taupo earlier this season.
The result also marks a significant step forward from the 2024 World Championships in Japan, where Linton finished fifth in the individual competition before combining with McKinnon to win the Women's Team World Cup.
McKinnon, who claimed the individual world title in Japan, remains the official women's 18-hole speedgolf world-record holder with a score of 121:25.
For Linton, sharing the podium with her close friend and long-time teammate made the occasion even more memorable.
"We've been supporting each other for the whole week, Liz and I, and for more than that obviously since we've been playing. So to be able to experience that with a friend by your side was truly special."
The senior divisions also produced impressive performances and international success.
Finland's Marko Kuningas successfully defended his senior men's world title, climbing from third after the opening round to finish on 248:08.
New Zealand's Troy Harold, who held the overnight lead, claimed silver on 257:20, with Sweden's Mikael Palmberg completing the podium on 258:19.
New Zealand finished the individual championships with seven podium finishes across the four divisions, including two world titles, underlining the strength of the home contingent on the world stage.
"I'm so proud of everyone in the team. The ones that podiumed, the ones that didn't, just the attitude, the support," Linton said.
"We've shown the world what New Zealand speedgolf can do and I just think we've set the bar for everyone to follow."
Meanwhile
success continued into the ISGA World Team Cup, with the home contingent claiming three of the four titles on offer to complete a memorable week at Whitford Park.
Robin Smith and Brad Hayward produced one of the standout performances of the championships to win the elite men's title, defeating fellow Kiwis Bateman and Reid in a six-hole shootout following qualification.
The pair combined for a one-under-par 23 in just 12 minutes and 24 seconds over the six holes, producing an exceptional display of speedgolf to secure the world title.
Smith and Hayward's combined qualification and shootout total of 97 strokes in 52 minutes and 24 seconds saw them finish ahead of Bateman and Reid, while Great Britain's Luke Bone and Luke Willett completed the podium in third.
Linton capped a remarkable week by joining forces with McKinnon to successfully defend the women's Team World Cup title they won together in Japan in 2024.
The New Zealand duo combined for 78 strokes and a total running time of 45 minutes and 54 seconds across qualification and the final shootout, finishing comfortably clear of their nearest challengers from Great Britain.
There was further success in the senior men's division, where Harold and Damian Mills claimed the world title.
