Kiwi Golfer Kazuma Kobori Struggles After Costly Final Hole
New Zealand golfer Kazuma Kobori suffered a major setback during the second round of the European Tour's penultimate event in Abu Dhabi on November 8, 2025. A difficult finish on the final hole dramatically changed his position on the leaderboard.
Kobori found two fairway bunkers and then three-putted, resulting in a triple bogey on the 18th hole.
This unfortunate sequence dropped him from a share of the lead down to 24th place. In contrast, fellow Kiwi Daniel Hillier finished the day tied for 10th, keeping alive hopes for a strong New Zealand showing in the tournament.
Event Highlights
- Date: November 8, 2025
- Location: Abu Dhabi
- Tournament: European Tour’s penultimate event
- Top New Zealand players: Kazuma Kobori, Daniel Hillier
Outlook
Kobori will look to recover in the remaining rounds, aiming to regain momentum after the costly finish that halted his strong performance earlier in the tournament.
Author’s summary: Kobori’s triple bogey on the 18th hole in Abu Dhabi shifted him from co-leader to 24th place, while Hillier maintained a top-10 spot for New Zealand.