Golf: Brown's hot form an omen for Shield

Northland's Luke Brown continued his hot run of form in the 2012 season with a second place in the Panasonic Auckland Strokeplay Championship, a shot adrift of Auckland's Sam An.

The Pines' golfer held his nerve playing among the country's top amateurs at Manukau Golf Club on Sunday to finish with four-under. Brown shot a three under 69 - the lowest score in the final round of the 72-hole championship - to rise from a share of sixth to end up in second place after rounds of 73, 70 and 72.

It's another good omen ahead of next weekend's Garrard Shield tournament with Brown's Northland teammates Lee Neumann (13=), Chase McKeown (24=) and Alex Neeley (26=) also finishing well up in the strong field of more than 70.

Another Srixon Academy player Levin's Tyler Hodge blew a four shot lead on the final round to finish with a 77 and a share of third place with Pukekohe's Brent Curnow.