Conran takes victory in Fiji

Steve Conran has fired a final round of 66 to take out the Vuksich & Borich Fiji Legends Classic at Natadola Bay and Denarau Golf & Racquet Club on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour.

An almost flawless round consisting of seven birdies an only one bogey on the par-4 8^th hole wrapped up a great week for Conran, finishing 14-under par with rounds of 71, 65 and 66.

Playing alongside Conran in the final group, Richard Backwell of Queensland held onto second place with rounds of 69, 68 and 71 for an 8-under total.

Just one shot behind, New Zealander Dean Sipson’s last round of 66 saw him leap up the leaderboard to tie for third place with Ben Jackson on 7-under.

Tournament favourite and Ladbrokes Legends Tour Order of Merit leader Michael Harwood held fifth spot alongside defending champion Brad Burns who mounted a solid defence with rounds of 75, 67 and 69 for 5-under.

Wet, windy weather following a rain delay in round one at Natadola hampered Burns’ three-peat attempt while improved weather for the following rounds saw Burns fight back to finish among the front-runners.

The 45 senior professionals, joined by some 50 amateurs from Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific enjoyed a great three days playing Natadola and Denarau which were both presented immaculately for the tournament.

The Ladbrokes Legends Tour now moves to Royal Samoa Country Club for the 2019 Samoa Senior Open, to be played from 26-28 June, 2019.

Ladbrokes Legends Tour player Brad Burns will return to the Vukisch & Borich Fiji Legends Golf Classic next week with a third straight victory in his sights as he prepares to tee it up alongside tough competition in Fiji.

Winner in 2017 and 2018, Burns will be among elite company in 2019 where a field of 45 Senior Professionals will take to the fairways of the picturesque course.

Leader of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour Order of Merit and five-time winner on the European Tour Mike Harwood is among the tournament’s headliners with local Fijian Professional Krishna Singh, the brother of Vijay, also taking part.

Ladbrokes Legends Tour winners Glenn Joyner and Steve Conran, as well as consistent performer John Onions, feature in the field while 2016 Champion Tim Elliott will look for his first victory in 2019.

Players will contest the $50,000 purse over three days of play as the tournament celebrates five years of partnership with major sponsor and a great supporter of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour, Raymond Vukisch.

The event is played in a pro-am format with some 70 amateurs from Australia and New Zealand playing alongside the Senior Professionals.

Fiji is the first stop for the Legends Tour in the South Pacific with further events in Samoa and New Caledonia to come.

Brad Burns has claimed back-to-back Vuksich & Borich Fiji Legends Golf Classic titles after prevailing in a playoff over Glenn Joyner at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.

Burns got off to a slow start in the opening round played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, home of the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways but was able to rally when the tournament shifted to Denarau.

A second round 66 followed by an even-par third round saw him finish 56 holes at 4-under the card.

Glenn Joyner birdied three of the last seven holes to finish the third round with 3-under 69, 4-under the card for the tournament along with Burns.

All eyes were on the par-5 18^thwith just the leading group of Martin Pettigrew and Richard Backwell left on course.

Backwell found trouble and recorded a double-bogey when a par would have tied the lead and Pettigrew could only make par to fall one short.

Joyner and Burns headed to the 18th tee for the playoff and Joyner fell agonisingly short of victory on the first hole when his birdie putt stopped half a roll short.

Back to the 18^th tee and Burns hit a 2-iron over the water to 20-feet to set up an eagle putt, but when Joyner’s birdie attempt from distance went well past, Burns lagged to 18 inches and although a brave putt was made for par by Joyner, Burns took out the title with a birdie.

The Ladbrokes Legends Tour now moves onto Samoa where both Joyner and Burns will compete once again.

Joyner’s second place finish has moved him into top position on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour Order of Merit.

Round one of the Vuksich & Borich Fiji Legends Golf Classic hit off on Friday at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, home of the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways.

A brisk wind and occasional showers made scoring tricky but three players managed to beat the par of 72.

Richard Backwell, Glenn Joyner and Martin Pettigrew all shot 1-under par 71 on the magnificent Vijay Singh layout that will host the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways in August.

The highlight of Joyner’s round was an eagle three on the par five 6^th hole which was his first of the day.

44 senior professionals are playing over the three days joined by over forty amateurs.

The final two rounds will be at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club on Saturday and Sunday.

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