Staff and Wire Reports
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand -- Former Texas A&M standout Robert Gates became the 13th player to win his Nationwide Tour debut, closing with a 2-over 74 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory over Australia's Andrew Dodt in the tour's season-opening New Zealand Open.
An Aggie won the season-opening event on both the PGA and Nationwide Tours this month, a first in school history. Ryan Palmer won the Sony Open in Hawaii two weeks ago.
Gates, who played the Canadian Tour last year, had a 14-under 274 total at The Hills. He opened with rounds of 65, 67 and 68 in the event also sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia.
"It was tough conditions and the wind made it a great challenge," Gates said. "Andrew started to make putts when he needed to and it tightened up quick, but in the end I was happy how it ended up."
The 24-year-old Gates earned $108,000. His girlfriend, former A&M golfer Lauren Johnson, caddied for him.
Gates, three strokes ahead entering the final round, had a double bogey on the par-3 16th to fall into a tie with Dodt at 14 under, but Dodt followed with a double bogey of his own on the par-5 17th. Dodt birdied the final hole for a 72.
Gates' former A&M teammate Martin Piller tied for seventh at 8 under. Piller was runner-up here last year in his Nationwide Tour debut.
Both Gates and Dodt shanked drives into the rough off the 17th tee. Although Gates crossed the fairway into a bunker, leaving him with a long a difficult second shot on the par-5, he reached the green and two-putted for his par.
Dodt kept the pressure on when he made a long putt for birdie at the par-4 finishing hole, while Gates hit his second through the back of the green. Gates left himself a three-footer for par and neatly dropped the putt for the title.
"He was great," Gates said of Dodt. "He pushed me the whole way. Unfortunately, it didn't work out on 16 but I made a great putt on 17 and 18."
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