INJURY-HIT ABERDONIAN MICHAEL 

SIM ENDS EIGHT YEARS WITHOUT WIN

Aberdeen-born Michael Sim has won the 2017 Isuzu Queensland Open, his first title on Australian soil and his first victory anywhere since 2009.

Sim emigrated from the Aberdeen suburb of Westhill to Australia with his parents when he was around eight years old. A former World No 1 amateur, then top-50 professional, his career as a pro has been blighted by injuries. 

Starting the final day on 7-under par at the Queensland Open, Sim shot 2-under and showed his class on the 18th, rolling in a 12 foot putt to finish 9-under and apply the pressure to New Zealand's Harry Bateman who bogeyed his final hole.

"It's an incredible feeling, it's an emotional feeling, I never thought this might happen again and it's my first Professional win in Australia, there's a lot to look forward to," said Sim.

The win now gives him the security of a spot full-time on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the remainder of 2017 and 2018.

He'll now take on the grueling six stage Japan Tour Qualifying School under less pressure, knowing he'll have a place to play in the foreseeable future.

"My priority now is to get the body ready. I've got the next six days off then I'm off to Japan for the third stage of qualifying," added Sim.

"Until this week if I didn't get through in Japan I didn't know where I'd be, I'm not too high on the Australasian Order of Merit and I've got a really small Web.com category as a past champion, but there was still obviously doubt there.

"I think I've kind of relaxed in the last few weeks and just tried to play golf, if I was hitting a bad shot or miss a short putt I just move on.

“This game, you just don’t know what’s going to happen, I felt like I was on top of my game six years ago, top 50 in the world, I know I’m still a little far away from that but at least I know I can still do it.”

It's been a big 2017 for Sim who married his wife Simone earlier this year and they are expecting their first child in early 2018.

"It's going to be an exciting time for Simone and I next February, it's going to be a really happy time for our families and looking forward to taking the next step.

For his win, Sim picks up AU$16,500.00 (about £10,000) and moves to 28th on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.