Kieran Muir’s first win on China Tour

Tauranga golfer Kieran Muir holds aloft his trophy following his first win on the China Tour. Photo credit: China Tour.

Tauranga golfer Kieran Muir posted his first win on the China Tour when he held his nerve in the final round to win the Huangshan Open.

Muir started the final day in a share of the lead at nine-under par and got off to a hot start with birdies on the first two holes.

But a double bogey on the ninth hole saw him slip back to one over for the day, but that score was short-lived.

Muir birdied the first three holes on the back nine and despite making bogeys on holes 16 and 17, he made par on the last to cling to a one shot lead over Maverick Antcliff from Australia who had already won on the China Tour three times this year.

“It certainly feels good to win in China. It feels good to win anywhere as it’s not easy,” Muir said afterwards.

“My game has been progressing nicely. I feel as though if I perform my job correctly and a few things go my way, there is every chance I’ll be in the mix. I’ve been working really hard with a great team around me.”

Muir had rounds of 70, 70, 67 and 72 for his nine under par total and the win earned him 126,000 Chinese yuan. That’s nearly $NZ28,000.

Muir, who turns 32 this month, has been a professional for eight years.