Golf: Perry finishes joint runner up at the Riversdale Cup

Emily Perry of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand amateur rep Emily Perry has finished joint runner up at the Riversdale Cup by four shots from Australian Whitney Hillier in Melbourne.

The Lochiel golfer, who went into the final round with a two shot lead, got off to the perfect start when she made birdies at the second and the fifth to extend her lead to three shots.

But she dropped a shot at the eighth and couldn't match the onslaught from Hillier who managed four birdies in the final five holes of the front nine.

From there, the West Australian had the momentum and she went onto make birdies on 12 and 14 to take control of the tournament. She dropped a shot at the 17th but the damage was done.

Perry was disappointed to shoot a one over par 74 in the final round compared to Hillier's five under 68 to claim the title.

"I played really solid and I feel like I didn't do much wrong but she just played better, which is hard to take," the 21-year-old said.

"My goal at the start of the week was to finish in the top three so I guess I am happy with that, but obviously it would have been nice to win."

But Perry, who shared the lead after day one of the New Zealand women's open in Christchurch last week, was encouraged to back up at the Riversdale Golf Club.

"I feel like I am playing well under pressure and now I have the belief that I can shoot that low round in a tournament which is good. I am looking forward to winning one soon."

Perry was looking to follow in the footsteps of former New Zealand amateur rep Cecilia Cho who won the title in 2011 by four shots from Lydia Ko.

Her form in 2012 comes on the back of a great season last year where she became the first woman to win Charles Tour events in a row.

Waikato golfers Chantelle Cassidy and Sarah Bradley finished tied for sixth and 15th, respectively.