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Reid, McKinnon win NZ Speedgolf Open

Another victory for Jamie Reid and Liz McKinnong at the NZ Speedgolf Championship
Jamie Reid and Liz McKinnon have won the titles again at the NZ Speedgolf Championships. PHOTO: GOLF NZ

Jamie Reid and Liz McKinnon’s speedgolf dynasty continues as they successfully defended their New Zealand Speedgolf titles at Fitzroy Golf Club once again.


The pair have dominated the event and have etched their names on the national speedgolf trophy six times, winning every event they have played.


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Reid created history in miserable weather on day one, shooting speedgolf’s first-ever sub-100 score, carding 68 in 31 minutes and 3 seconds to shoot a speedgolf score of 99.03, while McKinnon kept her unbeaten record in the format intact.


Fifty one competitors ran the Fitzroy Golf Club fairways over 36 holes and two days of competition, forming one of the strongest Speedgolf Open fields in recent memory.


Joining the two defending champions was a DP World Tour player, an NZPGA professional, speedgolf specialists from all around the country, and those playing the format for the first time.


After Reid returned the unofficial world record score of 99.03, he led by five over Taranaki local Bernie Smith and seven over Robin Smith, who is Reid’s world championship-winning partner.


He gave the magical number another good run on day two's final round, shooting another 68 in 32 minutes and 35 seconds, finishing with a two-round speedgolf total of 199.38.


Reid is happy to not only win another New Zealand title, but to get the magical speedgolf monkey of shooting a sub-100 score off his back.


“Now, people can stop asking me when I’m going to finally break 100, which I did yesterday in terrible conditions. To do that, and then back it up today with another great score today is very pleasing.


“I knew I had it in me – it was just a matter of putting the running time and the golf score together. I played really well yesterday and made five birdies, so I’m really happy to get that over the line.”


“We have a great community and we get up to 20 players every Wednesday, so getting lots of very good players to play against every week helps me with my training.”


Meanwhile, McKinnon’s victory did not come as easy. Following her 82 in 46 minutes and 37 seconds, she trailed Amy Linton by 20 seconds heading into today’s final round after Linton carded 83 in 45 minutes and 18 seconds.


However, her championship mentality came through, finishing with a second-round 76 in 46 minutes and 9 seconds on Sunday, finishing with a two-round total of 250.46 to win by 10.


McKinnon said the strong women’s division pushed her right until the end today.

“I emptied the tank – when I went across the finish line, I had nothing left. After a few minutes, I got the speedgolf buzz.


“All I could do out there was focus on one shot at a time and just keep running. I knew that Amy had been working really hard on her fitness and her golf, so having that competition motivated me to be better and give it everything that I had, which I did.


“The fact that I’ve come away with a win is the icing on the cake, but I’m just happy that I tried my best and emptied the tank.”


Both Reid and McKinnon won a $3000 grant from Parkland Products to go toward their world championship preparations.


DP World Tour player Sam Jones had the lowest golf score, shooting 70 and 66 for an even-par total.

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