Golf: Amateur Munn seals Muriwai win

Photo / Dean Purcell.

Manawatu golfer Joshua Munn held his nerve to win the Muriwai Open by one shot today to become just the fourth amateur to win on the Charles Tour.

The 20-year-old, who took control of the tournament after a record-breaking nine-under par 63 in his first round, took a one shot lead into the final day and carded a two-over par 74 to fend of the challenge of professionals Hamish Robertson and Grant Moorhead.

In claiming the win, Munn joins Ben Campbell, Josh Geary and Troy Ropiha as amateur winners on the Charles Tour, an achievement he struggled to get tho grips with.

"I can't really believe this is happening, it's crazy really, I still don't feel like I am the winner," said Munn.

"It is unbelievable really, this is my first big tournament and to win on the Charles Tour is huge. There was a bit of pressure on me not to bomb out after I shot 63 but I hung in there pretty nicely in the end," said the pizza worker whose father drove through the night from Feilding to be his caddie in the final round.

Munn was put under pressure during the final round an when playing partner Robertson made a 16-foot putt for birdie on the 16th he joiend Moorhead and Munn in the lead at 12-under.

"I saw on the leaderboard with three holes to play that Grant Moorhead was tied for the lead and then Hamish made that putt on the 16th and it was game on," said Munn.

Moorhead's challenge ended when he bogeyed the 17th after finding the bunker short of the green and Robertson dropped a shot at the same hole to give Munn a one shot lead heading up the final fairway.

Robertson had a 15-foot putt to force a play-off on the 18th, but could not make the birdie.

"It was disappointing to come up just short but Josh played great today," said Robertson.

In the women's event, Lydia Ko equalled the course record with a three-under par 69 in the final round. She was too consistent for Auckland professional Phillis Meti in the wind and won the women's title by three shots.

"Winning every tournament is a new feeling and I am happy to play well here," said the North Harbour amateur who is the world's best amateur.

- NZPA