Kotua king of the Shootout

Aaron Kotua survived several chip-offs and a visit to the river on the final hole to win a chaotic Shootout on Saturday (Oct 24).

The golf was often far from pretty as pressure and the effects of a long day in the sun took its toll but it made for an entertaining spectacle as the top 10 qualifiers battled it out over the back nine. 

The curse of being the number one seed struck Gareth Edwards - who had earlier played so well to win the match of the day - on the opening hole in the sudden death format. He was the first to be eliminated after losing a four-way chip-off.

Maurice Woodhouse was next to go at the short 10th after a putt-off involving five players.

The par five 12th saw some ugly stuff with an out of bounds and an unplayable lie but it was Chris Louth who got his marching orders when he lost a two-man chip-off.

The uphill 13th claimed Phil Sellers who succumbed after a cruel three-way putt-off from above the hole.

Andrew Bosselmann's luck ran out at the par three 14th when he departed after losing a chip-off involving three others.

Peter Watson blew his chances on the downhill 15th by slicing his drive out of bounds, while Mick Leggett found the creek on the 16th and couldn't recover.

Matt Tomczyk's run came to an end at the 17th when Graham Eggers got the better of him in a chip off.

So Aaron and Graham - the 9th and 10th qualifiers - contested the 18th which saw more drama. Aaron put his second shot in the river 

going for the killer blow only for Graham to thin his third shot into the riverbank penalty area in front of the green where he deemed it unplayable. 

Aaron then played an excellent approach from the drop zone to 14ft, while Graham chipped even closer but his 6ft putt to force a chip-off lipped out as did the one coming back as he conceded the hole to end a crazy afternoon.

Aaron was a deserved winner, playing some steady golf down the stretch and holding his nerve when it mattered.