Bransdon wins first title at WA PGA

Australasian PGA Tour | 2010 Western Australian PGA Championship | Round Four | 07 Nov 2010

Victorian David Bransdon is the new WA PGA Champion after a dramatic final day at Bunbury Golf Club.

Bransdon finished with a four round total of 17-under, two ahead of fellow Victorian Matt Griffin with Brad Kennedy from Queensland a further shot back in third.

West Australian Stephen Dartnall and Victorian Luke Hickmott tied at 13-under in fourth.

Western Australian Brody Ninyette was presented with the leading amateur trophy, finishing tied for 18th at six-under. Click here for the full leaderboard.

Playing the 18th, Bransdon drained a final hole birdie for a course record-equalling 64 to claim the tournament lead in the dying stages of the tournament.

“Standing on 18 I knew if I put it close and made birdie I would be in with a huge chance,” Bransdon explained, only to learn moments later that Matthew Griffin had just three-putted the 17th to provide a two shot swing.

Playing in the final group Griffin couldn’t produce a miracle two on the last to force a playoff, giving 37-year-old Bransdon his first win on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“I knew it would take a low final round to win but I kept saying to myself I am as good as, if not better, than these guys.”

“My family and (wife) Mel will be over the moon – she has been on a long journey with me ever since I turned professional – and that was 15 years ago.”

Bransdon had started the day three strokes behind overnight leader Hickmott and two back from Griffin and Kennedy.

At one stage four players were tied for the lead at 14-under; Bransdon, Griffin, Kennedy and Hickmott.

With today’s result Bransdon has guaranteed himself a start in the ’big three’ PGA Tour of Australasia events this summer.

The win was somewhat of a relief for Bransdon who earlier this year co-led into the final round of the Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship, only to be beaten by Alistair Presnell who shot a final round (and PGA Tour of Australasia record) of 60 to take home the title.

“I had a good finish at the Vic PGA earlier in the year but got beaten by a 60 in the last round and that hurt. Itwas so hard because I played well.”

“I used that experience today and picked some good shots.”

“I can now change my status on tour and get into the OneAsia events next year.”

Runner up Matt Griffin says he will now move his attention to next week’s JBWere Masters which will be played at his home golf course, The Victoria Golf Club.

“I played great the back nine and got myself into the front but Dave was impressive over the last three holes and there is not much you can do about that,” Griffin reasoned.

“I hit the ball close all week and gave myself chances but missed a couple of shorter shots today which probably cost me.”

“Overall I played well, and you cannot dwell on that.”

The PGA Tour of Australasia now moves back East for the highly anticipated JBWere Masters which will feature the likes of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas and Australians Robert Allenby and Geoff Ogilvy.

Source – PGA Australia