Presnell shoots closing 60 to win Victorian PGA title

FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA WEBSITE
Victorian professional Alistair Presnell shot a Sandhurst course record of 60 and equalled the record for the lowest ever round in an Australasian Tour event on his way to claiming the 2010 Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship today at the Sandhurst Club.
Presnell shot an unbelievable round of 12-under par on the North Course at Sandhurst, smashing the previous course record by three shots and taking his four-day total to a massive 22-under par 262.
He won by a single stroke from the overnight joint leaders, Kurt Barnes and Davis Bransdon
“I’m ecstatic. To win a Victorian title means a lot to me,” said Presnell who now joins past champions Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson, Peter Senior and Stuart Appleby on the honour roll.
“It’s a great achievement and another big feather in my cap.”
Presnell’s 12-under round also put his name in the Australasian Tour record books alongside Paul Gow (2001 Cannon Challenge, Rd. 1) and Ernie Els (2004 Heineken Classic, Rd. 1) with whom he now shares the prestigious record.
“It’s a proud achievement. There are some unbelievable names (who have played in Australia.) I think just about everyone has played in Australia at some time, all of the greats.”
Throughout his round Presnell shot an amazing 12 birdies but missed a short putt on the par 5 17th hole that would have taken him to the magical 59.
“A few nerves crept in,” Presnell admitted post-round.
“But I’m stoked. I didn’t do a great deal wrong. I drove the ball pretty good all week and my putter worked on Friday and particularly today.”
“(Yesterday) I thought I was completely out of it with absolutely no chance. But a few putts dropped in late on the back nine and to turn at seven under I had thought it was still a tough ask.”
Sharing second place were overnight leaders Kurt Barnes (67, 67, 66, 67) and David Bransdon (67, 65, 68, 67) who were forced to finish their rounds in elevated wind conditions that whipped up around Sandhurst after Presnell had completed his round.
Bransdon and Barnes finished at 21-under par, while Paul Matantz (69, 69, 66, 65) saved his best to last shooting a 7-under round to finish at 19-under in outright fourth.
The win for Presnell is his second PGA Tour of Australasia title, with his first coming at the 2009 Moonah Classic with which he gained US Nationwide Tour status.
Today’s timely win comes only days before the Melbournian heads over the US to kick off his 2010 campaign.
“I head over to the Nationwide Tour on Thursday for a couple of events in South America so this is a fantastic way to start the season.”
For his win Presnell took home the first place cheque for $16,500. (Presnell’s win was the icing on the cake for what was a truly memorable Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship, highlighted by superb low scoring and Australasian Tour records.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
Players from Australia unless stated otherwise
266 Alistair Presnell 71 65 70 60.
267 Kurt Barnes 67 67 66 67, David Bransdon 67 65 68 67.
269 Paul Marantz 69 69 66 68.
270 Steven Bowditch 68 70 65 67.
271 Andrew Bonhomme 70 67 67 67, Anthony Brown 68 66 67 70.
272 Martin Doyle 67 69 71 65, Scott Laycock 66 71 66 69, Gareth Paddison (New Zealand) 66 68 70 68, Aaron Townsend 66 71 66 69.