courtesy New Zealand Golf Melbourne s Bryden Macpherson, 18, made it a double by winning the New Zealand strokeplay title at Titirangi Golf Club after winning the Srixon Australian Men&aposs Stroke Play last month. The overnight leader, who took a two shot buffer into the final round, fired a one-over 71 to finish on five-under par for 72 holes. MacPherson, the 13th Australian to win the strokeplay title, finished three shots clear of South Africa s Nicol van Wyk with Wellington s Peter Spearman-Burn in third place on three-over 283. It feels great. It’s good to do the double. It was a little bit scrappy at times today, but I held in there, MacPherson said. I had nine pars on the back nine and I had to make a lot of 2m putts for par on most of those holes.” I tried to not even think about the score today. A birdie on the first helped get me going although I never thought I had it in the bag. I was six up after five holes but then it was back to three and you can never count anyone out.” I couldn’t help a couple of thoughts that crept in late in the round though. Now I need to put the win behind me and move on to the matchplay for the Amateur title. MacPherson said he could claim some local West Auckland roots. Mum grew up around here and went to Kelston Girls just five minutes up the road from this course so I guess I am a local by blood. It is a bit special to win this on Anzac Day. Auckland s Travis O Connell was fourth on six-over, two shots ahead of the world No 1 ranked amateur Scott Arnold (Australia) and local Titirangi veteran Rob Noffke, who enjoyed the day s low round of three-under 67. Whangarei s Gary-John Hill was seventh on nine-over with the top-10 rounded out with Matt Jager (Australia), Adam Church (Miramar), Sam An (Whitford Park) and Chan Young Chun (Shandon) all on 10-over 290. The cold, strong winds made for a tough test today with Noffke the only player in red figures today with his 67, after being five-under at the turn. National Squad member Scott Arnold, six behind the leader,had an eight-over 78 to fade back to a share of fifth place. O Connell, nine back at the start of play, dropped three shots in his first two holes but then held on with a three-over 73, making two birdies into the wind on 16 and 17 to indicate he could be a threat in matchplay. 275 Bryden Macpherson (Australia) 72 67 65 71 278 Nicol Van Wyk (South Africa) 71 65 70 72 283 Peter Spearman Burn (Miramar) 66 76 70 71 286 Travis O&aposConnell (Whitford Park) 72 68 73 73 288 Rob Noffke (Titirangi) 72 74 75 67, Scott Arnold (Australia) 70 71 69 78 289 Gary John Hill (Sherwood Park) 75 71 71 72 290 Matt Jager (Australia) 75 72 71 72, Adam Church (Miramar) 70 73 72 75, Sam An (Whitford Park) 69 72 73 76, Chan Young Chung (Shandon) 72 64 75 79 291 Pieter Zwart (Waipukurau) 73 72 69 77