A FIRST-round 71 in wet conditions proved to be the difference for golfer Justin McPhee on his way to winning the weekend's Mildura Open.

In the drizzle and the breeze, McPhee led the formidable Greg Rhodes by one stroke after the opening 18 holes, and with the duo both scoring 76 on Sunday, the former clinched overall honours with 147 total to 148.

Clinton Jones finished third with 150, a singl...