AFP, Wellington:
Rising Australian talent Zach Murray held his nerve to complete an end-to-end win in the New Zealand Open at Queenstown on Sunday.
The 21-year-old rookie fired a final round four-under 68 to finish on 21 under and two strokes clear of fellow Australian Ashley Hall and New Zealand’s Josh Geary at the Millbrook Resort course.
Murray, who started the final day a stroke up on Geary, only turned pro last November but showed he could handle the pressure.
After surrendering the lead with a bogey on the 11th he came back with an eagle at the par-five 13th and then two birdies to build a comfortable buffer before a bogey on the 18th.
He is the first New Zealand Open winner to lead after all four rounds since New Zealand left-hander Bob Charles in 1954.
“I was pretty nervous on the 18th tee. I settled down for a while there,” Murray said.
“I’m glad she’s all done and dusted. It’s been a fantastic week.”
Geary had his chance when two early birdies gave him a share of the lead.
But he followed with four bogeys to drop off the pace before a late eagle and two birdies brought him back up the leader board.
