Sam An (Titirangi) emerged as New Zealand's top junior when he won the national under-19 title on the Omokoroa course in Tauranga yesterday.
He started with a six-shot lead and made early birdies to increase his lead to eight, before leaking shots on the homeward nine.
An finished his final round three over on 75 but still won the title by four shots from Australian Jarrod Freeman.
The under-17 contest finished in a tie between Ryan Chisnall (Greenacres) and Tyler Hodge (Levin).
The pair halved the first four playoff holes in pars until Chisnall made a par 3 on the 11th hole while Hodge short-sided himself left of the green, making a bogey 4.
Jim Hwang (Tauranga) coasted to an easy win in the under-15 division with rounds of 74, 75 and 76 on the par-72 course.
None of the players in the under-13 section qualified for the final round, leaving Stephen Wilding (Hawkes Bay) the winner with rounds of 83 and 84.
The only Otago golfers left in the field failed to improve their placings.
Kayne Wardell (Allan Grange) shot 78, while Thomas Facer posted a disappointing 82.
