A week after winning the scratch pennant final for Albury the 25-year-old was the only player in the 70-strong field to break par with a 68 yesterday at the Commercial Albury Golf Course.

A previous junior and club champion, Boehm shot a bogey-free round with birdies at the 7th and 11th holes.

He credited the win to a long forgotten putting drill.

“Putting was the big difference out there today — I sank some six footers to save par early in the round and then the birdies,” he said.

“I’ve just struggled with a few things this year, including my short game but it just all clicked out there.

“During the week I went back to a drill that I haven’t used for a year — sinking 20 putts in a row from three feet, then 10 from six feet and finally five from nine feet.”

Cheltenham’s Peter Neale (74) took second on a countback from Albury teenager Bailey Stewart.

Boehm said slower greens had helped his cause.

“They were a bit slower than normal but rolling true, it meant you could have a go,” he said.

“It’s just great to have finally won this tournament.

“I’ve been close after 18 holes when it used to be 27 but never finished off.

“Today I’m going to say that I was happy it has been reduced to 18 but generally I would prefer that it was still 27 holes.”

Albury club captain Daryl Barr said he was happy with a capacity field.

“We had to close the entries on Friday with a maximum 70 players,” he said.

“But most importantly we are happy to see so many young guys out there — we would have had 15 players under 17 and plenty in their late teens as well.

“It was great to see Nathan win — he has been club champion and junior champion here and is a home-grown talent.”

The Border’s form golfer Zach Murray struggled with his putting and finished in a tie for fourth with a six-over par, 76.