Luck – who has already earned berths in the 2017 Masters Tournament, US Open and The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale courtesy of his US Amateur victory in August – carded a bogey-free 67 to finish on 12 under 276, one shot clear of Victorian Brett Coletta.

Following Antonio Murdaca’s victory in Melbourne two years ago, Australian players have now won the Championship twice to equal South Korea (2009, 2013), Japan (2010, 2011) and China (2012, 2015).

Luck, 20, was seven behind Coletta at the start of the final round at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, Korea. Luck had to shoot his lowest score of the week to clinch the Championship in just his second appearance, having made his debut in 2014.

“I’ve had an amazing year and this has topped it off,” said Luck, who was part of the Australia team that won the World Amateur Team Championships in Mexico two weeks ago.

“I came here to try my best and win, but I wasn’t expecting to be standing here with the trophy at the end of the week. I’ve had a pretty good year and a couple of big wins in the past couple of months.”

Playing in the penultimate group, Luck birdied the 2nd, 11th, 12th and 15th holes and was playing the par-5 18th when he realised Coletta had drawn level with him following a chip-in birdie on 17. Luck had hit his second shot into a bunker, but splashed out to 15 feet and drained a curling birdie putt, which he promptly followed with an emotion-charged fist pump.

“It was a pretty nerve-racking finish as I knew Brett could make birdie on 18, so fortunately for me he didn’t,” Luck said.

“That bunker shot was probably one of the most nervous shots I’ve ever had to play, and the putt just topped it off. I left myself a bit of a swinging putt, but I had a really good feel for it.”

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Luck conceded he felt for Coletta, who led after rounds two and three.

“Brett’s a really close friend of mine and I understand the opportunity he has just missed out on. I do feel a little guilty and sad, but I’m so competitive I couldn't give up the chance to win an event like this,” Luck added.

The 20-year-old Coletta began the final round at 14 under, but a birdie at the 3rd hole was followed by back-to-back bogies then double bogies at the 9th and 11th holes. He bounced back with birdies at 14 and 17 but was unable to convert his birdie putt at the final hole to force a play-off.

“It’s really hard to swallow, but you’ve got to look at the positives. I’ve had three good rounds at a tournament I’ve never played before,” said Coletta, who was last year’s U.S Amateur stroke play medallist.

Coletta (left) and Luck completed the Australian quinella in the championship. PHOTO: Courtesy of AAC.

“A chip-in on 17 helped and I knew I had to make a birdie at 18, but I had a poor second shot. My chip wasn’t too much better, but that’s golf for you,” Coletta said.

“I’m going to look back at the first three rounds and leading this prestigious event. I’ll go back and catch up with family who will be so proud of me. They were just hoping to see me once on TV, never mind seeing me lead after the second and third rounds.”

As runner-up on 11 under, Coletta earned a place in The Open Qualifying Series.

New Zealand’s Luke Toomey carded a best-of-the-day six under 66 to finish third at nine under, two ahead of NSW’s Cameron Davis (77), last year’s joint runner-up and the Eisenhower Trophy individual champion two weeks ago.

Next year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the ninth edition of the tournament, will be held at New Zealand’s Royal Wellington Golf Club from October 26-29.