Golf Australian PGA ChampionshipPeter Senior survived two late bogeys to win his second Australian PGA Championship by one stroke from Rodney Pampling yesterday.The 44-year-old Senior, who had not won a tournament since 1997, closed with a 73 for a 17-under-par total of 271 at the Hyatt Coolum course in Queensland.
Senior, with tears welling in his eyes, said he was relieved the tournament was over after taking three putts for a bogey on the par-four 18th hole.
"I was leaking a bit of oil at the end, but I hung on," said Senior, who also won the Australian PGA in 1989. "I guess I thought I had it won when I birdied 16," the Queenslander added.
"It's something no player likes to do (win with a bogey), you like to close it out in style. But it's been a long time between drinks and I'm over the moon." Senior was joint leader after the first round and five shots clear of the field after three rounds.
Queensland's Pampling and Sydneysider Craig Parry were in joint second place after the third round and pushed Senior all the way yesterday.
Pampling shot a 69 for a total of 16-under-par 272, shooting five birdies and two bogeys. The 34-year-old moved to 16 under par after birdies on the 12th and 13th holes before closing with five pars.
Triple Australian Masters winner Parry fired a 70 to finish a shot behind Pampling in third place.
Parry's challenge ended with a double-bogey five on the par-three 14th hole after his tee shot found water.
Scott Laycock closed with a 67 to finish fourth on 14-under-par 274, one shot ahead of last year's joint Australian PGA champion Peter Lonard.
Twice British Open winner Greg Norman finished with a 75 for a share of 20th place on six-under-par 282. Playing in his home state of Queensland, the US-based Norman attracted an even bigger gallery than normal with former world number one tennis player Lleyton Hewitt as his caddie.
"I think it was as memorable for Lleyton as it was for me. I'm glad we could do it," said Norman, who plans to attend next month's Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament to support Hewitt.
"It was one of the best experiences of my life," the former US Open and Wimbledon champion said.
