![An exuberant Jordan Zunic claims his first pro title. [Photo courtesy PGA of Australia]](https://australianseniorgolfer.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Jordan-Zunic-NZO.jpg)
The 23 year old New South Welshman only turned pro in January, less than a year after a car accident in the US threatened his career.
Zunic emerged with his first pro victory on Sunday after a dramatic final round at the spectacularly located The Hills course on New Zealand’s south island.
The Aussie birdied the final hole for a one shot victory over compatriot David Bransdon.
Bransdon had fired a stunning back nine that included seven birdies to card an 8-under 64 and set the clubhouse lead at 20-under.
Knowing he needed a birdie to avoid a playoff, Zunic’s approach shot hit the flagstick before settling a few feet from the hole. The resulting tap in birdie changed his life.
“When I hit [the approach], it felt perfect and I just thought as long as the distance is right this should be pretty good. Obviously when it landed I was very happy,” said Zunic.
“I’m still in disbelief. I’m trying to pinch myself to say this really happened.”
“I knew I was playing well, but playing well and winning are two different things and I’m over the moon.”
It completes an incredible comeback for Zunic, whose career was in jeopardy after he fractured his elbow in three places in the near fatal car accident in the United States.
“It was tough coming back from that. I didn’t know if I could get back to my best. I didn’t know if I’d even be able to play golf again when it first happened,” he said.
“Since then it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride with my golf, but this is what I want to be doing so I worked my butt off and it’s nice to have some rewards for your hard work.”
Now Zunic can look forward to exemption on the PGA Tour of Australasia until the end of 2018 and three starts on the Japan Tour this year.
“I was planning on having to pre-qualify for everything later this year and I didn’t even know about the Japan starts until they told me at the end so that’s unbelievable too.”
“I just can’t wait to start the journey – this is only the beginning.”
To cap things off, Zunic and his playing partner Maryanne Marlow also won the pro-am teams event, beating Aaron Pike and his amateur team mate Simon George on a countback, after both teams finished at 37-under the card.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Joshua Munn claimed the Bledisloe Cup for the leading amateur at the BMW New Zealand Open.
The 24-year-old, who was the only amateur to make the cut, finished in a share of 23rd place at 10-under the card.
Peter Fowler firing
At the other end of the spectrum, veteran pro Peter Fowler was showing some good form with a 68-69-69-68 tournament seeing him finish on 15-under tied for seventh.
The PGA Tour of Australasia now takes a beak till the Queensland Open in August.
NZ Open Results