Sam Jones won the Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, winning the Carrus Tauranga Open in emphatic fashion recently.

Jones finished 21-under-par in the rain-affected event after firing 68, 65, 62, and 64 to beat Woonchul Na by three.

With the weather impacting play over the event’s first three days, we needed 27 holes today to decide on a champion. Jones came out swinging once play began at 8.30 this morning, playing his remaining nine holes in his third round in four under to shoot eight under and lead by a couple going into the final 18 holes this afternoon.

The Golf New Zealand National Academy member was clinical, shooting a blemish-free final round of six-under to get the job done after narrowly missing out on his first victory a week earlier at the Christies Floorings Mount Open.

He had to work hard for his first victory on the Jennian Homes Charles Tour but is elated to add his name to the increasing list of amateurs to win on the tour.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will later tonight. I’m just stoked to get this one over the line.”

His form had been incredible since the Eisenhower Trophy, finishing as co-medallist at the US Mid-Amateur and runner-up to fellow National Academy member Mako Thompson last week.

Over the last two Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, he’s 38-under-par.

“I would like to say it’s not form and it’s just how I play,” Jones laughs.

“To come out this morning and roll a few long ones in was key, and I just kept everything out in front of me, and I was never out of play or anything like that. The putter was running hot, which hasn’t happened a lot recently, so it was good to hole a few.”

Jones seemed in control all day, making his birdies on three, six, and seven to retain his two-shot buffer over Na with nine holes to play.

He kept his foot on the gas, making birdies at ten, 11, and 15 to seal the title.

“Winning today didn’t cross my mind too much to be honest. I knew there were a couple of key tee shots that I needed to manage, and once I got through those holes, I knew there wasn’t too much trouble out there coming in. I wasn’t too worried about it after that.”

He credits the competitive golf he and other elite amateurs have had in recent months as to why the amateurs have performed so well over the past few weeks.

“The golf we’ve played over the summer abroad has a bit to do with it. We’ve played a lot of tournament golf in Europe and in the US, and all of us are just pretty good.

“Even before that, we’ve had Kazuma and Jimmy winning Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, and Mako last week. We’ve all been working hard, and we’re all pretty good!”

Woonchul Na finished as the top professional by one over Harry Bateman, with Jessica Green finishing as the leading woman at two under.

The Jennian Homes Charles Tour has a week break until the DVS Pegasus Open in Christchurch from October 13 – 16.