NEW ZEALAND HONOURS SIR BOB CHARLES

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sir Bob Charles has been awarded New Zealand's highest civil honour.

The 74-year-old Charles was admitted to the Order of New Zealand, an honour restricted to 20 living New Zealanders.

Charles was the first left-hander to win one of golf's major tournaments. He captured the 1963 Open after a 36-hole play-off against American Phil Rodgers.

Charles finished his career with 66 victories and was a six-time winner on the US PGA Tour.

He was knighted for services to golf in 1999 and has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.