“I’m so happy. Six-hole playoff, I don’t know if I’ve been in a playoff…maybe once,” Smyth said.
“That 18th green is something else and I’m glad we changed the hole to the third. It was actually my favourite hole on the whole golf course, so it’s very fitting.”
Kazuma Kobori was the pick of the Kiwis in the field, finishing the tournament at 12-under-par and in a tie for sixth. Coming into the tournament, Kobori estimated 12-under would be a winning score on the Royal Auckland and Grange course.
He finished one shot ahead of Nick Voke, whose 11-under was good enough to see him finish in a tie for 11th, while Cameron Harlock finished in a tie for 15th at 10-under.
The next best Kiwis were Michael Hendry and Kerry Mountcastle, who finished five-under-par and in a tie for 35th.
Japan-Australasia Championship top five Kiwis in the field
Kazuma Kobori: -12 and tied for sixth
Nick Voke: -11 and tied for 11th
Cameron Harlock: -10 and tied for 15th
Michael Hendry and Kerry Mountcastle: -5 and tied for 35th