Gareth Paddison shot an even par 72 in trying conditions to win the Wairakei Golf Open in Taupo in his first ever start on the Charles Tour.
The left-hander, who has plied his trade mostly in Europe and Asia, finished five shots clear of Tauranga professional Jared Pender and leading amateur James Betts of Paraparaumu Beach.
It was Paddison's first win in three years and only his second victory as a professional in this country, with his last title in Dunedin in 2002.
The Lower Hutt golfer only got into the field as first reserve, making a late decision to play with a break in his OneAsia commitments.
The next Charles Tour event is the Port Taranaki Open in two weeks.
