Adam Bland wins Western Australian PGA

BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2005 Western Australian PGA Championship | Wrap | 29 May 2005

In one of the most exciting finishes on the 2005 Von Nida schedule, Adam Bland waited to the last hole of the tournament to clinch his maiden Von Nida victory over Victorian Brad Lamb. Bland, who led from wire to wire claimed the WA PGA Championship title with a par on the 18th hole.

It was enthralling last round and both players left their best to the last three holes. On the short par 3 16th, which is the Araluen Golf Resort’s signature hole, both Bland and Lamb had 25 foot putts for birdie. Lamb went first and missed the putt by millimetres while Bland dealt Lamb a huge body blow by putting last and holing one of the longest putts of the week.

With Bland now one up they moved to the par 5, 479m 17th hole. Both drove in the fairway and then Lamb hit the green in two while Bland sprayed his second and had a difficult up and down. An unsuccessful chip left him with a par while Lamb drew level with a quality birdie four. They moved to the strong par 4, 395m last. Both found the fairway, however it was their second shots that decided the tournament. Bland found the middle of the green while Lamb who hadn’t made one mistake all day, blocked his 5 iron into the greenside water hazard to hand Bland the championship.

Bland two putted for a 2 under 70, to finish the tournament 15 under, one shot ahead of Lamb who had 67 to finish 14 under. The win will now move Bland into the top ten of the Von Nida Order of Merit.

The round of the day went to Western Australian, Steve Collins who had a course record 65 and rocketed himself into a tie for third on 9 under equal with Brad McIntosh (71) and Victorian David Diaz (69).

Source – PGA Australia