Swinging high: Jordan Zunic is eyeing more success after winning the Tasmanian Open, his maiden national golf tournament, late last month. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
A BREAKTHROUGH win at the Tasmanian Open has Wollongong golfer Jordan Zunic primed to try his luck in America later this year.
But first the amateur will head to Melbourne tomorrow to see if he can replicate his efforts of late last month and win the Riversdale Cup.
The 21-year-old's win in Launceston means Zunic is now ranked 39th in the scratch players world ranking and No 8 in Australia.
Zunic told the Advertiser he was ecstatic to win his maiden national tournament.
"There were a lot of top amateurs playing and I had to play really well to win, which I did," he said.
Zunic fired a six-under final round to beat West Australian amateur Daniel Howe by two shots.
"To have four rounds under par is always good and that's the first time I've actually done it in a four-round national event," he said.
The former Port Kembla junior praised his sports psychologist Mat Howe for his recent good form.
Financial assistance from Zunic's long-time dentist Dr Ramesh Sivabalan has allowed Howe to caddy for Zunic during tournaments.
"Mat has been working with me since I was about 15 - it's been about five or six years - and he knows how my brain works now," he said.
"He's taught me over the years the right way to think and I think that's what made a difference for me last week.
"Knowing how to think and being able to pull off the good shots in the pressure situations [is important] and he's just given me the little triggers to think the right way in moments when you can sort of lose it mentally."
Zunic is now eyeing invaluable tournament practice in America. He has already traversed Europe, Asia and South America to continue his golfing education and hopes to go to either the European Tour School or Asian Tour School in July/August.
His goal is to turn pro by the end of the year.