Golf-Niemann, Buhai upstage locals to win Australian Open titles

FILE PHOTO: Golf - The 151st Open Championship - Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, Britain - July 20, 2023 Chile's Joaquin Niemann tees off on the 4th hole during the first round REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Joaquin Niemann mastered the Sydney winds to become the first Chilean winner in 119 years of the Australian Open when he beat Japan's Rikuya Hoshino in a playoff to lift the Stonehaven Cup on Sunday.

Niemann lipped out with a four-foot eagle putt on the first re-run of the 18th but made no mistake on the second playoff hole, draining a slightly longer eagle attempt to add a first DP World Tour title to the two he has won on the PGA circuit.