Nick Voke has captured the Webex Player Series Sydney tournament, becoming the second New Zealander to win the event in consecutive years after Kazuma Kobori’s victory in 2023.
Starting Sunday’s final round at Castle Hill Country Club with a four-stroke advantage, Voke shot a 3-under 69 to finish at 25-under overall, edging out Jake McLeod by a single shot. The Auckland native, who previously won three times on the PGA Tour China series, earned $50,000 for his victory. The win comes at an opportune time, providing momentum heading into this week’s New Zealand Open in Queenstown – another PGA Tour of Australasia event. The triumph follows fellow Kiwi Josh Geary’s recent win at the Victoria Webex event.
Voke’s victory wasn’t without drama. After sinking a spectacular long birdie putt on the 13th to extend his lead to five shots, he stumbled with a bogey on 14 while McLeod mounted a late challenge. The margin narrowed to two strokes with two holes remaining. Voke showed composure with a crucial par save on 17, and despite McLeod’s near-miss birdie attempt on 18 that would have forced a playoff, held on for the win.
“Golf is so hard. You can play a while, you can go through stretches and not win,” reflected Voke, who hadn’t won since 2018. “Gosh, that feels good. That’s why you practise as a kid. That’s why you have the late-night range sessions. It’s why you do everything.”
In other notable finishes, New Zealand’s Tyler Wood tied for third after shooting a final-round 69, while Momoka Kobori led the Kiwi women, finishing tied for 36th at 10-under. Cassie Porter topped the women’s field, finishing four shots ahead of Kobori.
