Golf: Muir thrilled after breakthrough victory

Kieran Muir won the Akarana Open yesterday for his first victory on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour.

Starting the day five shots clear Muir, who grew up playing at the Omokoroa Golf Club, shot 69 yesterday to win by four shots from second-placed Nick Gillespie.

Muir shot a sizzling 61 in his second round to set up his victory. He has been close on multiple occasions so to finally break the drought was a great moment for the Bay pro.

"It's still settling in, when people say congratulations I don't really know what to say," a beaming Muir said.

"Obviously I have had a couple of occasions where I haven't got it done, so to get it done today when I had a big lead was pretty important for me. My putting was the key today, made some important par saves which helped me hold on to that lead. Starting with a birdie and then having 17 straight pars was pretty pleasing in these conditions."

There was a slight hiccup in proceedings when rain belted down to flood vital greens and play stopped for 30 minutes.

"It gave me a chance to gather my thoughts and see how everyone else was going, so it wasn't too bad for me personally. It's a huge confidence-booster, like I said before, knowing I can get over the line is a great feeling and after working on my mental game recently this also adds to that and the progression I am making.

"I love it here at Akarana, it's a special place to me so to become the champion here tops off a great year so far."

Muir now leads the points race for the Jennian Homes Trophy after his consistent run of form on the New Zealand circuit. However, he will not be playing in the Muriwai Open, which gives the chasers a huge chance to win the inaugural Jennian Homes Trophy.

Muir is off to Perth for the Western Australian Open, which along with several pro-ams gives him the opportunity to play for prize money totalling more than $350,000.

"I would love to play Muriwai and have performed well there so it's disappointing that it clashes with my commitments in Perth. I love the concept of the Jennian Homes Trophy and it would be great to be playing Muriwai."

In the women's competition, Auckland's Brittney Dryland also chalked up her maiden win on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour, holding off one of the strongest fields this year.