Kennedy had won New Zealand’s prestigious National Open in 2011 and held aloft its prized trophy for the second time after overcoming a two-shot deficit to pip compatriot Lucas Herbert to the title with his winning total of 21-under-par 264 at the Millbrook Resort.

“I just grinded it out and really tried to play within my game as much as I could. I just let my putter do the talking today and I’m just relieved, and to do this again after nine years is just unbelievable,” Kennedy said.

“I’d always said 2020 was my last year. I’ve been playing 25 years on Tour and it was time to get home and spend some more time with my kids and wife. Who knows now? If I can still do it at 45 then I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

A bogey at the last saw Lucas Herbert's chances of a second win in 2020 disappear. PHOTO: Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Herbert, who won the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour in January, was seemingly in control of winning his second title in two months.

However, a costly double-bogey on 13 pegged him back momentarily before he battled back gallantly with three straight birdies from the 15th hole.

Standing on the 18th tee, Herbert still had a chance to at least force a play-off with Kennedy but hit his shot into the water which effectively cost him the title.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Herbert’s closing bogey meant he would end the week in second place, two shots ahead of fellow countryman Nick Flanagan, who finished in third place.

“Obviously I had the win in Dubai and then to back it up with another top-five finish was really pleasing and realistically I didn’t have my best stuff this week. To finish second you’ve got to look at the positives and I sort of can’t slouch too much at that,” Herbert said.

Korean teenager Joohyung Kim could not find his putting touch on the day that matters most and had to settle for outright fourth place after signing off with a 70

Having started so promisingly and leading for three rounds, the 17-year-old marked his card with five birdies and four bogeys.

Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert meanwhile enjoyed his best result in three outings to the New Zealand Open after a closing 69 saw him finish in 11th place.

Pavit had previously finished in tied-29th place on both occasions at the 2018 and 2019 editions.