The Waratah junior put his name alongside some of the greats of Australian golf, including Greg Norman, Norman Von Nida and Newcastle's own Jack Newton, who made the presentation.

McKechnie claimed the biggest win of his professional career in a dramatic final round after he started seven shots behind leader Jason Norris.

Norris carded a final-round 79 to finish equal fourth.

Nitties dropped from seven under par to even after 13 holes.

McKechnie was in the clubhouse at three under par after rounds of 70, 72, 70 and 69 but was not getting excited because an eagle at the 14th and birdie at the 15th rocketed Nitties into a share of the lead.

A gallery of close to 100 watched as the Charlestown 27-year-old three-putted on the 17th, which meant he had to make birdie on the last hole to force a play-off.

His approach landed on the green but spun down a ridge and left him a 15-metre putt to extend the tournament into a play-off.

McKechnie returned from the driving range and was practising his putting as guest players Mark Waugh and Andrew Johns were joking about a bet on Nitties to hole the putt.

It went well wide and McKechnie was the champion.

"I was very surprised when I finished and looked at the scoreboard," McKechnie said.

"I didn't want to know and I assumed that I was running about fifth. I said to my caddie, 'Let's not look at the leaderboard,' and he said, 'No problem.'

"I thought if I finished well I might run fourth or fifth."

McKechnie's caddie was brother-in-law Ryan Kelly, who did not hold up his end of the bargain and knew McKechnie had hit the lead when he was on the 15th hole.

"I knew but I didn't tell him," Kelly said. "I was just trying to crack a few jokes and keep his mind off it so he wouldn't find out."

McKechnie's 69 and Scott Arnold's 66 were two of the best rounds yesterday as Nitties signed for a 76, Norris a 79 and host Nathan Green an 80.