The 58-year-old shot a second-round 1-under 70 for a 7-under total of 135 to claim the FMG New Zealand Legends Masters title.
It was his first-round score of 6-under that was key.
That enabled him to open up a two-shot lead over second-placed Mike Harwood, who also shot 1-under yesterday.
Despite that, Fowler was pleased with the way he played in very windy conditions.
``I was pretty tired today [yesterday],'' he said.
``So after a couple of long weeks on the road and with the wind, that's exhausting enough.
``But I held it together enough and put together a good round.
``I was good chipping and putting today.
``My driving's been very good, but it wasn't today. That cost me a few shots.
``But overall sometimes you've just got to grind it out and do the best you can.''
Fowler has won several big titles in his career, including both the Australian and New Zealand Opens.
However, he said any win was significant, particularly on a links course.
``Winning is always good.
``When you win on good golf courses, mentally you can sort of recall it when you need it in even bigger events.
``To win on a links course is good. It means you have control of your golf ball in the wind and that's really important for a golfer, so I was rapt with the win.''
Harwood was the one golfer who stayed in touch right through and was happy with his performance.
The 59-year-old said yesterday's conditions had been tough, although he felt he played well to grind out a 1-under round.
``I played pretty solid all the way through,'' he said.
``Particularly today I made half a dozen nice six or eight-foot [1.8m or 2.4m] par putts, which is key on a day like today when it's windy. It sort of saved me.''
He spoke highly of his time in the South and said he would definitely be back with his family to explore what it had to offer.
Guy Wall finished third on 1-under 141.
After shooting 3-under on day one, he dropped two shots yesterday, although was happy given the conditions.
He said he putted well and generally played error-free golf down the fairways.
Brad Burns was fourth, shooting an even two rounds of 142.
Martin Pattigrew was the only player to go under 70 yesterday, shooting a 2-under 69.
He finished in a tie for fifth on 1-over alongside Darren Rix and Glen Joyner.
Otago's Greg Turner came in another shot back, in a tie for eighth with Scott Puzey.
