/world sport
QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand -- Englishman Richard Finch faltered with three bogeys over the closing nine holes before claiming the New Zealand Open by a three-shot margin in Queenstown.
Finch took command of the tournament with rounds of 65 and 64 after an indifferent start
Finch returned a 72 to finish on 14-under 274 in the European and Australasian co-sanctioned event at The Hills course.
The biggest threat to his victory came from his own errors as the trophy was within his grasp.
"I think I started thinking too much about what I was doing and then I tried not thinking about what I was doing," he said.
"It's the first time I've been in that position and it's a bit difficult thinking how you're going to deal with it."
Finch, who came to New Zealand after finishing 10th in the Australian Masters, did not look a major contender after shooting a first-round 73 including a double bogey on the par-three 16th.
But he followed that with a seven-under 65 on the second day and and a 64 on day three to go into the final round three strokes clear of halfway leader Steven Bowditch of Australia.
Bowditch started a challenge on the final nine holes with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th, before wasting the advantage with two bogeys and then recovering with an eagle.
He ended up tied for second with countryman Paul Sheehan, who moved up from fourth with a final-round 69. E-mail to a friend 
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