Victorian Anthony Brown won the NSW Open golf at Stonecutters Ridge on Sunday, making birdie at the second extra hole to defeat New Zealander Josh Geary in a playoff.

The win – the first of his career – was sweet relief for Brown.

“At the moment it’s just a relief, it will sink in a bit later,” said Brown, who finished tied for second at the 2012 Australian PGA.

“But right now it’s just good to get over the line.”

Starting the final round three shots off the lead, Brown’s charge came at the expense of overnight leaders James Nitties and Geary as strong winds played havoc.

Brown carded a fourth-round 69 to finish level with Geary at 14-under for the tournament, making birdies on the back nine while Nitties and Geary racked up the bogeys.

“Knowing it was meant to be really windy, I knew if that wind came up it would take a good solid round to win, so I just stayed patient,” Brown said.

“You just have to keep your head on and sometimes hitting the ball to 30-feet is a good shot.”

Brown seemed the only player in contention to not let the wind or other frustrations get to him.

He had a quiet front nine, while playing partner and fellow Victorian Daniel Valente was lighting up the course – Valente even grabbing the lead after making birdie on three of the first four holes.

“I missed a couple of birdie chances on the front nine then just righted the ship,” Brown said.

“I made a good birdie on 10 and things seemed to flow a bit better from there.

“Having those par-fives (15 and 18) to finish I could at least be aggressive.”

“I knew it (the birdie on 18) would be crucial. I didn’t expect Josh to bogey 17, but fortunately for me he three-putted that.”

South Korean-born US Amateur champion Gunn Yang had a steady day but never really got going in shooting an even-par 72 to finish at 12-under in fourth, a shot behind Nitties.

Other top-ten finishers – Valente, Andrew Kelly and Queenslander Aaron Pike – have all qualified for next week’s Australian Masters at Metropolitan Golf club in Melbourne.

It was also a big day for comeback kid Ewan Porter, who set the course alight with a five-under 67 to shoot the lowest round of the day in his first tournament back following an 18-month break from the game.