37 year old Queenslander Michael Wright has taken out the 2011 Brunel West Australian PGA Championship by one shot over Terry Pilkadaris in a dramatic finale at The Novotel Vines Resort and Country Club.
Wright battled it out with Pilkadaris till the very last hole where he chipped out from a greenside bunker to putt for birdie and claim the win and the $16,500 winner’s cheque.
“I really felt that it was within my grasp all day, he was never more than two in front and all it takes is one shot in this game,” said Wright who didn’t hit the front until he sunk his very last putt of the day.
“It was just a great battle and it was really fun to get out there and be under the pump and hit some good shots.”
The win for Wright now guarantees him a spot in this season’s biggest tournaments including the Emirates Australian Open, Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, BMW NZ Open and the JBWere Masters.
“The number one goal today was to try not to think about the money or anything else. I shouldn’t really be thinking about the exemptions but it did come into my mind a little there today. But I was able to shut all those thoughts out and hit some good shots so I’m rapt.”
For Pilkadaris it was again a case of ‘oh so close,’ this tournament his third second place result in three consecutive PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments.
“I am comfortable being in the lead but it has been a bit frustrating not finishing it off,” said Pilkadaris who finished second in the South Pacific Open and the Queensland PGA Championship.
“I had my chances and didn’t take it – that’s the way it goes.”
Andrew Martin capped off a great tournament with a final round of 68 to claim third position at 12-under par, while a fast finishing Max McCardle (65) and James McLean (66) tied for fourth at 11-under par.
For the full Brunel Western Australian PGA Championship leaderboard click here.
The PGA Tour of Australasia now moves to Royal Fremantle Golf Club for the highly anticipated John Hughes Geely Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship which will tee off from 27-30 October.
The 2011 Brunel WA PGA Championship was made possible thanks to the support of Brunel Energy, an organisation operating in all corners of the world, specialising in providing professional and technical personnel to clients throughout the energy sector.
Cellarbrations, Coca-Cola Amatil, Channel 9, Accor and Equis Lake are amongst the other major sponsors of the Brunel WA PGA Championship.
For the full 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule visit www.itsgolfseason.com.au
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