Mountcastle and Hung win NZ Stroke Play Championship

Wellingtons Kerry Mountcastle and Canterburys Juliana Hung have claimed the biggest victory of their amateur careers to win the New Zealand Stroke Play Championship at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.

After yesterdays stunning round of nine-under 62, the man from Masterton started the final day with a seven-stroke lead which he wouldnt surrender to finish a whopping eight shots clear of Kevin Koong in second alone.

The St Andrews Salver returns to Wellington for the first time since James Betts won the championship 10 years ago and Mountcastle was excited to see it in his hands.

"Its amazing to play a tournament like this in your home region and get the win. Its just awesome," said Mountcastle.

"I was just trying to repeat what I have done over the past two days and just keep it simple and focus on my game. It wasnt the easiest of conditions, but I managed to hold things together and get the job done."

With a crowded Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club balcony, the walk down the 72nd hole was an enjoyable one for the 22-year-old who made a stress-free birdie to close out his memorable week.

"It makes it a lot easier to hit the shots and to see everyone out there on the balcony also makes you feel a lot better.

"Im definitely becoming more consistent and able to compete in more and more tournaments which builds confidence."

With this, he also takes home The Neil Woodbury, Te Mana A Toi trophy for the lowest round of the championship which was a record equalling nine under par 62.

Not a single golfer fired a shot at either winner today in slightly tougher conditions, but with a two-under par round, Kevin Koong has come from nowhere to claim second place on his own. After qualifying for the New Zealand Open earlier this month, Koong is finding himself in a nice vein of form.

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Juliana Hung has gone wire-to-wire to win her maiden womens New Zealand Stroke Play title with a final round of even-par as she showed patience in difficult conditions to be crowned the countrys best and give Canterbury their second champion in as many years.

This two-shot victory (which was a seven shot lead with three to play) goes down as the 16-year-olds biggest victory to date in what is shaping up to be a very promising career and she was unable to take the smile off her face.

"It definitely feels pretty good, Im so happy that I won after playing solid all week and its easily the biggest win of my career," grinned Hung.

"We have some pretty good players in Canterbury, including the guys, so its always nice to play well for the region."

Hung has gained mountains of experience over the past year with international trips to both Singapore and Vietnam for the Womens Amateur Asia-Pacific and the Faldo Series respectively. Also helping her links experience was a trip to Royal Melbourne for the Master of the Amateurs earlier this year.

"I didnt play that well in Singapore, but after playing against some of the best in a few events, I have learnt heaps and was able to show that here this week."

South Island Stroke Play champion Miree Jung enjoyed another good week to finish runner-up, while overnight co-leader Carmen Lim finished third.

We now move from the spiritual home of New Zealand Golf to the glorious mainland where Christchurch Golf Club will host the 2019 championship.

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- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ