Golf: Shilton holds on to win in New Caledonia

New Zealand's Brad Shilton has won the South Pacific Golf Open Championship in Noumea by one stroke this weekend to produce the biggest victory of his career. Photo / Supplied.

New Zealand's Brad Shilton has won the South Pacific Golf Open Championship in Noumea by one stroke this weekend to produce the biggest victory of his career.

He shot an even-par final round for a tournament total of 13-under par 271; enough to secure Shilton his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

"I'm stoked, it's been a pretty long time coming so to finally get it done is awesome," the 33-year-old said.

"I still felt like I was playing OK, I tried to stay controlled and the whole day just really kept my head on.

"To finish pretty strong at the end making a few birdies coming in, was awesome."

It was his first win since claiming the Wairakei Open on The Charles Tour in 2009 and the former NZ Eisenhower rep earned $23,000 (NZD) for his triumph.

Starting the day with a three-shot lead, the Waikato professional held his composure as defending champion Matthew Griffin challenged for the title.

"I got a wee bit nervy I suppose but that's going to happen. Considering I haven't been in that position for ages, especially in one of these events, I am pretty proud of that.

"I had a rough idea of what Matt was doing, but I wasn't terribly sure until the 15th tee when I saw he was 13-under and probably going to 14, and that's when I made a couple of birdies so I figured that I was keeping up with him.

"I actually saw him hole a good putt on 16, which I figured was probably for birdie which would have put me one behind.

"But then I heard it was for bogey so I would have been one in front there, I realised that if I could make birdie on 17 and have two shots it would be huge," added Shilton, who made the birdie he was after.

Heading to the 18th green with a two-shot lead, Shilton gave the strong crowd in attendance a moment of panic when he three-putted the last, yet a bogey was enough to secure the win.

Clearly emotional, the win was a long time coming for Shilton who has been playing the PGA Tour of Australasia for seven years.

"Not having played a lot this year I didn't know where I was going to be standing for the next few events.

"I didn't really know if I was going to be playing well or not so it's good to come out and do this.

"It gives me a good start for the order of merit as well, so if I keep playing like this I'll be alright for next year as well, so it's all good."

Griffin headed into the final round five shots back from Shilton but worked himself into contention early in the day but eventually finishing second with a 12-under 272.

Finishing the South Pacific Golf Open Champion in a share of second at 11-under the card was South Australian Adam Bland and Queenslander Henry Epstein.

Auckland professional Ryan Fox carded a two-over par 74 in the final round to finish in a share of 13th place and claim $2300.

North Harbour pro Joshua Carmichael carded a three under par 69 in the final round to place tied 26th to earn $1400, Wellington pro Nick Gillespie was 32nd for $1300 and Taihape pro Hamish Robertson finished in a share of 33rd place for $1200.