Hall (35) tore up the course early on at The Hills yesterday and at one stage took the lead.
Finishing second led to a pay cheque of more than NZ$100,000 for Hall.
It was something of a mixed day for him - he started well, briefly sharing the lead and then taking it outright, before those around him improved and he fell off the pace somewhat.
"I had to get off to a quick start - found some magic with the putter and it felt like I couldn't miss for a while. That was fun and I just wanted to have a chance on the back nine," he said.
"I knew I had to have a hot start and I did. I was a bit disappointed with the finish. I was a bit jittery and have not been in the front for a while, tried to pull it too much."
Hall could only shoot the par-five 17th in regulation and then sprayed his tee shot on 18 which led to a bogey on the last. He finished second equal, two shots behind the winner.
The Victorian was lining up at the NZPGA at the Pegasus Golf Club in Christchurch this week and then would put an end to his professional career.
He said winning yesterday may have changed things but he had decided to hang up his days of playing for cash.
"There has been plenty of rumours floating round and I think I've started most of them. But that is the plan at the moment.
"I accepted an offer a couple of weeks ago from where I have been working so if anyone wants a cheap pair of golf clubs they know where to go."
He was wearing a shirt with his new employer's name on it - a golf equipment warehouse in Melbourne - yesterday as he looks to move off the tour and stay at home.
"Obviously winning might have changed a few things and it would have been different but that is the plan at this stage."
He wanted to be home more often with his kids as they grew up but aimed to go out with a bang at the NZPGA.
Hall's caddy was Scott Bibby. He usually caddies for Ian Botham but with Botham not here, wisely switched to Hall.
