Golf: Six-week pro wins NZ Open

Jordan Zunic of Australia holds up the New Zealand Open trophy after winning the New Zealand Open at The Hills Golf Club in Queenstown. Photo / Getty Images

We should have seen Jordan Zunic coming right from the start.

A 23-year-old Australian youngster who turned professional six weeks ago and almost saw his career - and his life - derailed after a bad car accident 18 months ago?

Of course he was going to make a birdie on the final hole to win the $1 million New Zealand Open at The Hills ahead of 139 other professionals with vastly more experience.

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.

He banked a $171,000 cheque with a 21-under-par total of 266, adding three rounds of 66 to his opening 68 and finishing a shot clear of veteran compatriot David Bransdon.

He became the fourth Australian in a row to win the Open, a week after finishing tied for eighth at the New Zealand PGA.

Every day has been a win for the tall, lean golfer from Wollongong since the day he and two others were involved in a nasty smash in the United States. Zunic was in hospital for a week with injuries that included a bad elbow fracture and significant blood loss.

"It was tough coming back from that. I didn't know whether I'd be able to play golf again," Zunic said.

"Since then, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I've played good, and then not so good. When I started playing again, I just felt so grateful to be breathing and out there playing golf. I could have easily died."

Of the other leading Australians, rising star Cameron Smith had a stunning weekend, carding 64 and 66 to climb to 17-under, alongside 2011 New Zealand Open champion Brad Kennedy. Daniel Fox matched Bransdon's 64 to finish at 16-under, and the ageless Peter Fowler carded a fourth consecutive round in the 60s to end at 15-under.