For Parry, It’s Quite a Present

Craig Parry couldn’t believe his luck at the New Zealand Open, and Tiger Woods had trouble believing the greens.

Playing on his 36th birthday, Parry went to the 18th hole on Sunday one shot behind Michael Campbell. When he walked off the final green, Parry had a two-shot lead after a birdie and Campbell’s double-bogey at 17.

“I’ve had many opportunities and many chances, but things haven’t gone my way,” Parry said of the lead swing that eventually became a one-shot victory when Campbell birdied 18. “Sometimes in the game of golf you just have to grin and bear it.”

While Parry was grinning, Woods was thwarted by greens that wouldn’t give him a break--including a four-putt second hole for double-bogey.

“I hit the ball well all week but I didn’t get anything out of the greens,” said Woods, who had a 69 on Sunday to finish in a tie for sixth, six strokes behind Parry.

When asked what it would take to get him back to New Zealand next year, Woods said, “Guarantee that I’d make a few putts.”

Using a new set of clubs, Parry finished with a 68 for a four-round total of 11-under-par 273 on the par-71 Paraparaumu Beach links layout that Woods’ New Zealand caddie, Steve Williams, played regularly as a junior.

Campbell, who just missed an eagle putt on No. 18 that would have forced a playoff with Parry, finished in a three-way tie for second at 10-under 274 after a 69. Also tied for second were Steve Alker (70) of New Zealand and Stephen Leaney (71) of Australia.

Campbell had birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to put him in the lead.