The 24-year-old finished the event at 13 under to claim the title by two strokes from South Australia’s Max McCardle, while Queensland’s Tim Hart was a further shot back in third place.

“I can’t describe how I am feeling; it’s absolutely amazing, it’s really what I wanted to do from the start of the week,” said Zunic, who broke through for his first Australasian Tour win at the New Zealand Open last year.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

“I started off well but from the first day until now feels like a lifetime, it was a long week.

“I’m stoked that I held on all week and came through with the win.”

Jordan Zunic overcame some loose shots late in his final round to capture his second big professional title. PHOTO: Getty Images.

Having not won a tournament so far in 2016, Zunic obviously felt nervous coming down the stretch at Darwin’s Palmerston Golf Club as he dropped shots at the 11th  and 12th holes. But back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 increased his lead again to three strokes and he could afford another bogey at the 16th hole before closing out the round.

“It was very tricky today, the wind was very difficult and the strongest we have seen it all week,” Zunic said.

“I had a few little hiccups on 11 and 12 which threw a spanner in the works but I managed to keep it together.

“I hit some nice shots on 14 and 15 to make birdies and that really brought the momentum back into my court. From there I felt pretty comfortable coming in.”

Zunic, from Wollongong, was helped along the way by Palmerston club member and scratch golfer, John Croker, who caddied for the winner over the weekend after being enlisted over “a few beers” on Friday night.

“I couldn’t have done it without him. John’s local knowledge really helped me,” Zunic said.

“And to get another win a little over a year after my first one is awesome. You get one win and you feel like the monkey is off your back but then you want to win again.

“To win again is a great feeling and it really makes all the hard work I do back home pay off.”

The ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia takes a brief hiatus before moving on to New Caledonia for the South Pacific Open Championship, to be played at Noumea’s Tina Golf Club from September 21 to 24.