Virgilio Paz came from four shots back to win the Gosling’s Bermuda Open in dramatic fashion at Port Royal Golf Course on Saturday.

The 21-year-old amateur was tied with overnight leader Nathan Petronzio with two holes to play before rolling in back-to-back birdies to pip the latter for the title by one shot.

“It was really good making birdies the last two holes to win the tournament,” Paz told The Royal Gazette.

“It was really good opportunities and I was just focused on making those putts. I am really happy with how I handled things on the course and being patient was the key to today’s round, especially being four shots back of the lead.

“Nathan played really good golf this week and I knew I needed to play really good in the final round to catch him up and that’s what I did. I’m really happy with how performed this week and really happy to win the Bermuda Open.”

Paz‘s three-round total of 15 under is a new record since the tournament format was revised, while his bogey-free 63 in the final round was just two shots shy of the course record of 61 held by Sweden’s Alex Noren.

With victory, the Venezuelan has earned exemption into the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal next month and he is now looking forward to making his debut in a PGA Tour event.

“Bermuda is awesome, this golf course is really good and I am really excited to go and play in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship next month,” he said.

Paz grabbed a share of the lead with Petronzio at 13 under after getting up and down for birdie at the 14 hole to set the stage for a nail-biting finish.

He then surged ahead after birdieing the par-5 17th hole and sealed the deal just as clinically after rolling in a 5ft birdie putt from below the hole at the 18th.

Petronzio also birdied the last hole but the damage had already been done.

The American professional, who shot 68 to finish runner-up at 14 under, was still happy with his performance despite coming up just short.

“I played well and put myself in good position all day but just maybe didn’t take advantage of some of the putts,” he said.

“I stuck to my game plan pretty well, executed and just came up a little short but overall a very fun week and really glad I got to come out and experience Bermuda. Paz played an unbelievable round today and hats off to him. It was really fun to watch him do his thing.”

If it was any consolation, Petronzio received the $10,000 winner’s share of the prize money instead of Paz, who was unable to accept it as a result of his amateur status.

“We’ll take that, that’s always nice,” Pentronzio said.

Fellow American professional David Pastore finished third at 12 under after also signing off with a bogey-free 65.

“I had a nice clean round. Had some birdies in the beginning and kind of just let two shots slip on 17 and 18,” he said.

“Virgilio played great so I think I would’ve needed at least two more, but I’m happy with how I played, I just put myself too far back after the first round.

“But it was a great first trip, the course was awesome and greens were in great shape, so I’ll definitely be back.”

Eight players came in under par, with Bermuda amateur Will Haddrell best of the locals after finishing with a 69 to end the tournament an impressive ninth overall at two over.

“I haven’t played much different all week and today this kind of kept it together,” he said.

“I had it going pretty good early. I was four under through ten and let a few go at the end, but I’m happy. I’m glad I entered the tournament and did pretty well.”