NICK O'HERN HOLES BUNKER
SHOT TO WIN AUSSIE PGA
TITLE PLAY-OFF
Australian Nick O'Hern, pictured right, scored his first victory since 1999 with a nail-biting playoff win over compatriot Peter Lonard at the Australian PGA championship in Coolum, Queensland.
O'Hern, 35, from Perth, Western Australia and a pro for 12 years, landed the $216,000 first prize when he holed a bunker shot for a birdie at the fourth play-off hole after the overnight leaders both finished the final round on 22 under par.
Nick's victory also confirmed him as winner of the Australian PGA Tour Order of Merit. A bit like Paul Lawrie, O'Hern is a fully-qualified PGA pro, having served his time as an assistant pro in a club shop.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
266 N O'Hern 66 69 63 68, P Lonard 68 65 65 68 (O'Hern won play-off at fourth hole).
269 W Ormsby 68 66 68 67.
270 P Gow 69 65 69 67.
272 P O'Malley 66 69 66 71.
273 D Small 69 67 68 69.
274 N Green 70 64 71 69.
275 M Wright 68 68 72 67, S Appleby 67 71 70 67, J Nitties 64 74 68 69, G Ogilvy 68 71 67 69.
276 P Senior 69 69 73 65, D McKenzie 67 73 71 65.
277 M Millar 68 73 69 67, R Pampling 67 67 71 72.
278 R Allenby 70 69 72 67, C Campbell 72 68 70 68, J Lyle 66 74 69 69, P Wilson 69 69 69 72, R Haller 70 71 65 72.