Victorian Peter Wilson has claimed his maiden PGA Tour of Australasia victory, winning the WA Goldfields PGA Championship by two shots at Kalgoorlie Golf Course.
Starting the day one behind the overnight leader Glenn Joyner, 34-year-old Wilson looked dangerous from the opening holes and never looked back, at one stage stretching his commanding lead to five strokes.
“It’s just so good to win one finally,” he said after claiming $18,000, his biggest ever prize cheque in Australia.
“I was six-under after 11, I just had a hot start. I started to think about it for a while there, but I got it done in the end.”
In accepting the trophy Wilson acknowledged his support team that includes PGA coach Stuart Leong, Physiotherapist Paul Trainor and Jamie Glazier.
“It’s just the whole package, everyone is working together and it’s showing.”
With a final round of three under to finish at five-under for the tournament, Wilson finished two ahead of Glenn Joyner, who was quick to praise the Kalgoorlie Golf Course.
“I can promise you if the guys that are voting on it come here and play, it won’t be voted number 73 in Australia for long. It’s in the top 20 I think,” said Joyner.
Young Victorian Andrew Kelly finished third at one under par, while Nick Cullen chipped in on the final hole to claim a share of fourth alongside Kurt Carlson and Brendan Smith.
Kris Mueck shot the round of the day – a seven under 65 courtesy of an eagle, six birdies and a bogey.
Meanwhile, the stars continue to sign up for what is shaping as an impressive Australian Open in December.
World No. 5 and Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose will make his debut appearance at the Open at The Lakes Golf Club from December 6-9 in Sydney.
Rose won the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March and capped an exceptional year with a runner-up finish at the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola before playing a key role in Team Europe’s heroic Ryder Cup victory.
The 32 year-old and four-time PGA Tour winner said he was excited about returning to Australia.
“I’m looking forward to coming to Sydney for my first trip back to Australia in a few years and I’ve always enjoyed it,” Rose said.
“This will be my Australian Open debut and the tournament has a history of wonderful champions and I hope I can add my name to that list in December.”
Rose has tasted success in Australia before, winning the Australian Masters in 2006 at Huntingdale.
He will join eight times major champion Tom Watson, World No. 6 Adam Scott, defending champion Greg Chalmers and former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy among the headline names in Sydney.
By: Robert Grant