Australian youngster Jake Higginbottom has become the first amateur golfer in more than half a century to win the New Zealand Open.

The 19-year-old from NSW showed great composure to card a five-under 67 at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch on Sunday for a one-shot victory at seven under par.

The last amateur to claim the title was Australian Harry Berwick in 1956.

Higginbottom hit the front for the final time with his eighth birdie of the day at the par-four 17th and then safely negotiated the closing hole.

Tied for second at six under were Victorians Jason Norris, who had a pair off 66s on the weekend, and Peter Wilson, who finished with a 68.

Overnight leader Mark Brown’s bid to become the first New Zealander to win the championship since 2003 ended in disappointment.

Brown went into the final day with a three-shot cushion but couldn’t create any momentum to card a 73 and end up fourth.