AUSSIE MASTERS NEXT FOR JAMES BYRNE DOWN UNDER

By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com A double bogey at his final hole - his second double of the tournament - dropped Banchory rookie pro James Byrne down to a disappointing joint 45th finish in the New Zealand Open championship at Clearwater Country Club, Christchurch. The Walker Cup player, the only European in the field, had rounds of 78, 70, 73 and 76 for nine-over-par 297 - 16 shots behind the men at the top of the leaderboard. In an all-Australian play-off for the title, Brad Kennedy beat Craig Parry at the first extra hole. Kennedy had been two shots behind Parry with two holes to play but Parry, like Byrne, ran up a double bogey 6 at the 18th. Over the four rounds, Byrne had 11 birdies but shots dropped cancelled them all out. "It wasn't a great finish I had," James told Scottishgolfview.com by E-mail from Christchurch. "But, looking on the bright side, at least I broke my mini-slump of missing cuts. "My next event is the Australian Masters the week after next at Victoria Golf Club, Melbourne. I am in the field courtesy of an invitation from the sponsors. "After that it will be back home for Christmas then off to the Asian Tour School in early January."   LEADING FINAL TOTALS Par 288 (4x72) 281 Brad Kennedy (Aus) 68 71 68 74, Craig Parry (Aus) 70 69 73 69 (Kennedy won play-off at first extra hole). 282 Josh Geary (NZ) 71 68 71 72. 283 Rohan Blizard (Aus) 72 69 71 71. Selected total: 297 James Byrne (Sco) 78 70 73 76 (T45).