Cameron Percy wins Victorian PGA Championship
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2005 Victorian PGA Championship | Wrap | 05 Mar 2005
Cameron Percy has come from behind to storm past overnight leader Steven Bowditch and win the 2005 Victorian PGA Championship at Sanctuary Lakes.
For Percy, who started the final round four shots behind the rising star of Australian golf, the tournament provided a breakthrough victory in four-round pro events. A closing round of 69 for a 15 under total of 273 was good enough to claim victory by a single stroke from Bowditch, who shot a two over 74 on the final day.
Percy began his final round with a positive mindset in spite of the weather conditions that saw many rounds unravel in the gusting winds.
“The strong winds actually gave me a chance to catch Steve,” Percy explained. “If it had been calm he would have bolted away like he has been doing all week.”
The pair, partners in the final group, distanced themselves from the chasing pack early on and began what turned out to be an absorbing man-on-man contest.
Percy, from the west Gippsland town of Warragul, mounted a stirring challenge right from the outset, picking up four birdies on the front nine to go out in 33. The resolute Percy then eagled the downwind par-five 12th, before drawing level for the first time two holes later with another birdie.
The water holes playing into the southerly wind were always likely to be pivotal in deciding the championship.
And so it proved.
The par-five 16th had already bared its teeth with scores of six and seven being common place throughout the day. However no-one could have predicted the drama that unfolded with Bowditch pleading with Tour officials to suspend play when an ugly rain squall hit the course.
Eventually, play was halted for five minutes as the final group, a loyal band of spectators and the media contingent sought shelter under a sea of umbrellas. When play resumed, both players two-putted from long range to bogey the hole.
The decisive blow came on the dangerous 18th hole flanked by a lake all along the left hand side of the fairway. After a wayward drive Bowditch was forced to lay up short of the water fronting the green, while Percy tightened the screws by finding the target and two-putting for victory.
Percy’s great round of 69, highlighted by five birdies and an eagle, was the only score under 70 on the final day.
Percy said putting had proven extremely difficult, adding that he was unsure if the ball would roll if he grounded his putter.
West Australian Tony McFadyean (72) finished alone in third place at 10 under par, while the trio of Luke Hickmott, Chris Gray and Bradley Andrews were tied for fourth at minus 7.
Despite finishing second two weeks in a row, Bowditch showed everyone why he is set for an exciting international career.
Source – PGA Australia
