The crowds were willing on Kiwi young gun Lydia Ko but it was Australian Lindsey Wright who triumphed at the New Zealand Women's Open in a dramatic final-hole finish.
Wright claimed the silverware at Christchurch's Pegasus Golf Club by nervelessly holing a 15-foot putt for birdie on the 18th green to win by a single stroke from countrywoman Jessica Speechley and American Alison Walshe.
"It's unbelievable. It's still sinking in. I putted really well all day and the last six holes I was really nervous," said Wright.
"I haven't been in this position for a while and I thought to myself 'I can win this.'
"I looked at the leaderboard and saw Alison Walshe up there and Speechley at nine-under and thought 'no I can make this putt. Just keep your head down, just hit a great putt.'
"My caddy was more shocked that I was I think."
The 32-year-old's second professional victory owed to rounds of 70, 68 and 68 for a 10-under total of 206.
Speechley did all she could on a rain-affected Sunday, scorching around the front nine in seven-under 29 before making a birdie and a bogey on the way home for a blistering seven-under 65.
Wright was one of a number of leaders heading into the final round on six-under, along with 14-year-old dynamo Ko.
The world No.1 amateur had a final 18 holes to forget, however, and possibly the heavy demands of her schedule and the hype surrounding recent form may have caught up with her.
Ko shot a two-over 74, failing to get the putter going and finishing in a tie for 17th at four-under.
She wasn't even able to complete the week as the leading amateur. That honour went to fellow Kiwi teenager Cecilia Cho, who completed a strong return to form with a closing three-under 69 to share 12th a stroke ahead of Ko.
"I have watched Lydia play and she was good this week. It is good being out of the spotlight but I am fine being in the spotlight as well," said Cho, the world's No.3 amateur who is now off to Korea to become a professional.
"It’s good to get some momentum before I turn professional . It would have been nice to score lower but it’s been a good tournament.
"I am going to miss so much about New Zealand. I am going to miss travelling with teams but turning pro is a new challenge and I am excited about that."
Ko will be sad to see her rival and close friend go, as well as letting a national title slip through her fingers.
"Her playing good improved my game and hopefully me playing good improved her game," said Ko. "She is soon going and it is quite sad. She has been a friendly rival and I am going to miss her.
"I played good today but my putts didn't roll in today like the other two days. I am happy but kind of disappointed too," Ko said.
"It is really good to play back in New Zealand after playing in Australia for a while. I have played good most of the time I have played in Christchurch.
"I won the NSW Open and Australian Amateur so not winning here is not going to make me depressed or too disappointed."