Brooke Henderson has defied the elements to triumph at the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open, signing off with a pin-high approach shot to birdie the par-5 final hole.

She finished on 17-under-par for the tournament, five shots clear of nearest rival Jing Yan.

The 20-year-old Canadian oozed professionalism from her opening round of 65 and was a contender throughout with subsequent rounds of 70, 67 and 69 for a 271 aggregate.

She never looked rattled, despite a brutal westerly wind testing golfers’ links-playing abilities to the limit in the final round.

Henderson’s composure and finesse earns her a winner’s cheque of US$195,00.

Lydia Ko meanwhile, finished with a three-over par 75, leaving her five-under for the tournament.

Ko said the postponement of the final round to today did not detract from the event.

“There were so many who had played more than half their holes yesterday. It made so much sense to continue to Monday. The top of the leaderboard could change so much with the wind.

“We just have to go with it. [The LPGA] is trying to do the best for us and that’s the priority. Even though some players missed or changed flights, I’m sure they’re happy to finish the championship.

“The weather is something we cannot control. Everybody involved wanted it to be as fair as possible for the field. You just have to go for it. It was tough waking at 5.30am and not playing the full round [yesterday] but you have to do it.

Ko said it had been a “pretty surreal” time.

“This week has been successful and hopefully a lot of players will come again and it becomes a cool spot for the girls.

“The fans were the biggest highlight for me. It’s always fun to play the national open in front of big crowds. To have their support when I don’t come home very often gave me goosebumps and made me proud of this event on the LPGA tour.”

Brooke Henderson continues to lead the tournament by four strokes on 16-under-par through 16 holes of her final round.