Royal Wellington golfer Jayden Ford has claimed the Christies Floorings Mount Open title after extreme winds forced organisers to abandon Sunday’s final round and reduce the tournament to 54 holes at Mount Maunganui Golf Club.

Ford was declared champion at 10-under-par following rounds of 67, 66 and 70, finishing two shots clear of Zachary May, Sean Towndrow and Mitchell Kale, who shared second at eight-under, a media release said.

The final round had already got underway on Sunday before worsening conditions brought play to a halt.

Ford had extended his lead to 11-under through four holes before officials abandoned the round, wiping all scores from the day and reverting to the completed 54-hole standings from Saturday.

It was an unusual conclusion to an otherwise impressive week for the Wellington golfer.

“Not quite the way you want to win,” Ford said.

“It’s a little bit of an anticlimax. You’re in the thick of things, feeling all the feelings, going out there trying to sweat over your little two, three, four-footers.

“A win’s a win, but it’s a little bit of an anticlimax right now. I’m not 100% sure how to feel.”

Ford put himself in a strong position across the opening three rounds. After an opening four-under 67, he carded a five-under 66 on Friday to move into a share of the halfway lead alongside Kale.

Saturday’s third round ultimately proved decisive as strong winds made scoring conditions difficult. Only eight players finished under par, but Ford produced a composed one-under 70 and birdied the 18th hole to take a two-shot lead into the scheduled final round.

The challenging conditions continued into Sunday and, despite the weather, Ford said he felt comfortable as play began.

“It was a punish,” he said.

“I reached out to my fellowship group back home the last couple of days and just asked for prayer, to be walking in boldness.

“I definitely felt bold and confident out there. It felt good.”

May finished in a share of second and also secured leading amateur honours after an outstanding tournament. The Clearwater Golf Club player followed rounds of 71 and 66 with the round of the day on Saturday, a three-under 68 featuring six birdies, including four on the back nine.

Towndrow also thrived in the difficult conditions, posting a two-under 69 on Saturday, while Kale’s opening-round 63 remained one of the standout performances of the week.

In the women’s amateur division, Sophie Yu claimed leading amateur honours at four-over-par, one shot ahead of Yuetong (Victoria) Xin. Sarah Li finished third at 11-over.

The All Abilities Invitational was won by Guy Harrison at nine-over, five shots clear of Tim Vogel, with Andrew Woo third.

While the tournament ended earlier than planned, Ford’s work across the opening three rounds had already put him in control, and his birdie at the final hole on Saturday ultimately proved to be the tournament-winning stroke in one of the toughest weather-affected events of the Summerset Charles Tour season.