World No. 1 Lydia Ko has confirmed she will defend her New Zealand women's open Championship in Christchurch next February.

The 23-year-old rookie clinched a one shot victory over Victorian David Bransdon, with a stunning shot into the final hole in perfect conditions at The Hills. Needing a birdie at 18 to avoid a playoff, Zunic hit a superb approach shot to just two feet, calmly tapping in the putt to finish at 21-under 266. That was enough to relegate Bransdon to outright second at 20-under the card, a bogey at the last proving costly while fellow Victorian Kristopher Mueck was third at 18-under the card.

Jordan Zunic provided a huge gallery with a heart-warming story under the scorching sun yesterday when he claimed a stunning breakthrough win with tears in his eyes.

It was one-way traffic at The Hills and Millbrook yesterday as the Australians firmed their grip on the New Zealand Open trophy.

David Bransdon has held steady at the BMW New Zealand Open and continues to lead after the second round played cross The Hills and Millbrook Resort in Queenstown. West Australian Matt Jager fired the round of the day. A 9-under 63 at The Hills has him tied second with Aaron Pike on 10-under the card. Rounding out the top-5 on the leaderboard at 10-under the card is Won Joon Lee, who co-led overnight with Bransdon. Tied with him are Jordan Zunic and Anthony Houston who had second rounds at The Hills of 6-under 66 and 5-under 67 respectively.

David Bransdon and Won Joon Lee have different stories to tell but are part of a very familiar theme at the $1 million New Zealand Open: the Australians want the title. Victorian journeyman Bransdon and Korean-born New South Welshman Lee each fired sparkling 9-under-par 63s yesterday to lead the Open by two shots after the first round.

As Lydia Ko edged towards the course record at NZ Open yesterday, she wondered if she might break the magical 60 mark.

Lydia Ko has broken the course record at Clearwater today scoring an extraordinary 61 in the middle round of the NZ Open.

Lydia Ko, golf's world No 1, attracted huge galleries to her opening round in the NZ Open.

Constant focus and heavy favouritism will accompany Lydia Ko around Clearwater in her attempt to add the NZ Women's Open to her growing collection of golf titles.

Young golfing talent Bohyun Park says she misses being a child, but is driven by the dream of becoming the next Lydia Ko.

Lydia Ko has no concerns about her previously troublesome wrist as she eyes the first LPGA Tour event of the season.

Michael Hendry has the bank account sorted, now it's time to win more golf tournaments.

Looking back at the highlights on and off the course at the NZ Open Golf 2014 in Queenstown.

Former Australian cricket skipper Ricky Ponting looks ahead to the Pro-Am in the NZ Open and also gives his opinion on the recent form of the Black Caps against India.

Michael Hendry has a strong working relationship with The Hills.

If American golfer Rocco Mediate can play anything like the way he holds court with the media, he won't have too many problems at the New Zealand Open this week.