NEW ZEALAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Experienced campaigner Craig Parry took full advantage of a nightmare day on the greens for Tiger Woods to win the New Zealand Open yesterday.

The Australian, who turned 36 on Saturday, enjoyed a belated birthday celebration after a final round 68, three under par, to win by one shot from compatriot Stephen Leaney (71) and Kiwis Michael Campbell (69) and Steve Alker (70).

Campbell had appeared poised to claim his second win in three years in his national open but threw away his chance with a double-bogey six on the 17th, where he three-putted from six feet. The New Zealander could have forced a play-off with an eagle at the last but his 15-foot putt slid past the hole and he had to settle for a share of second place.

Parry finished the tournament with a four-round total of 273, 11 under par on the testing Paraparaumu Beach links course.

Woods was never in serious contention after an embarassing four-putt on the second green and finished with two under par 69 to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place on 279, five under par.

Parry had to put his birthday celebrations on hold after his third round was interrupted by nightfall on Saturday after a three-hour rain delay. He was up at 5.15 a.m. to play the final four holes. "The way the wind was blowing early this morning I really didn't think we were going to get out there.

"But I got off to a good start by hitting a five iron to two feet at the second and that really helped."

South Korean 13-year-old Jae An had a disappointing end to the tournament, finishing with an eight-over 79 that left him tied for 62nd place.