Date: October 10, 2016
Author: PGA of Australia

Snedeker dominates in Fiji

Ryder Cup winning team member Brandt Snedeker continued his celebrations by winning the 2016 Fiji International.

Starting the final round three shots clear of the field, the world No.23 showed his dominance with a closing 68 at Natadola Bay to win the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia event by nine shots after a fast start set him apart.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start to the day. I birdied the first hole out of the gate," the American said.

"Being three under after the first six, it all kind of went my way and I hit quality golf shots. I just never really let up.

"I did not expect to win by nine shots, this golf course is funny, it's brutal. I knew if I let up for a second, there could be a big number waiting for me.

"It was about to happen on 10, I was able to survive there. I kept my head down and kept going all day long."

While seemingly never under threat, Snedeker said nerves were still present.

"There's always going to be nerves but I did a great job calming down on the first tee, hitting two quality shots and then making the putt," he said.

"I'm very happy with the comfort level I felt in that situation and never really gave anything back. I didn't do anything that would cause myself to lose the tournament.

"I am just building on a lot of positive stuff right now so it's a lot of fun."

Snedeker said his Fiji experience will help him achieve his next career goal — to win a major championship.

"It's been a pretty good two weeks," he said of Fiji and the Ryder Cup.

"It would be good if I had a tournament next week.

"I've done a lot of other stuff in my career and last week propelled that for my career, handling the pressure like it did.

"Today's going to help me, too, handling a big lead the way I did — to know that I can handle whatever golf courses will throw at me against the best players in the world and come out on top.

"Now it's just time to get ready and go and be excited about it."

With this runner-up finish, Kiwi Michael Hendry overtook Victorian Matthew Griffin on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit by just $1200.74.

A further shot back were Brad Shilton (NZ), Andrew Evans (NSW), Matthew Giles (NSW), and Anthony Houston (Vic).

Rounding out the top 10 on were Jake Higginbottom (NSW), Daniel Fox (WA), Griffin, Inhoi Hur (KOR) and Ben Eccles (VIC).