Gareth Paddison and Fraser Wilkin have won the Grove Mitre 10 Pupuke Pro-Am over a weather-affected two days at the renowned North Harbour golf course.

The pair finished five-under-par over the two rounds to win by a shot over Jerry Ren to share the winner’s cheque at the $22 thousand dollar event. However, it didn’t come easy, as play was abandoned on the first day due to heavy rain, rendering the course unplayable. The field got through 14 holes on the hilly Pupuke track on Tuesday, meaning everyone had to play 22 holes the following day.

Northland professional Craig Hocking took the early advantage after the first round, birdieing two of his final four holes to shoot a three under 67 and share the early lead with Wilkin who matched him. Remuera-based Paddison, Aiden Didone of Australia, and Gulf Harbour’s Mason Lee lurked a further shot back with 68’s, while Jerry Ren, Dongwoo Kang, and Steven Oh all shot 69.

The experience of Paddison and Wilkin shone through over the remaining 18 holes. They both continued their momentum as the left-handed Paddison carded another solid 67 which included six birdies and a trio of bogeys, while Wilkin carded a closing 68 to match.

Jerry Ren finished a shot further back after a closing 67 of his own to just miss out in sharing the trophy with the two veteran Auckland-based professionals.

Unfortunately, round one leader Hocking faded in the last round, carding 74 to drop into a share of seventh.

The New Zealand PGA Pro-Am circuit moves north the next week for the Barfoot & Thompson Waitangi Pro Am on March 28, the Platinum Homes/DVS Pro Am on March 29 and 30 at Sherwood Park, and the Freuhauf Trailers Omaha Beach Pro-Am on the 1st and 2nd of April.