Paddison back to best at QLD PGA
BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2011 Cellarbrations Queensland PGA Championship | Final Round | 27 Feb 2011
New Zealand golfer Gareth Paddison has held off a spirited fight-backs from rookie Kieran Pratt and Victorian Terry Pilkadaris to win the Cellarbrations Queensland PGA Championship at City Golf Club in Toowoomba by two shots.
Paddison, long considered one of the New Zealand’s most talented players, has yet to live up to those expectations. A former Canadian Amateur and Victorian Open Champion, the left hander has begun to play well again in recent months. A 9th place finish at the Australian Open in December is perhaps a sign that the hard work he has done over the last twelve months is beginning to pay off.
Paddison agonisingly missed his European Tour card for 2010 when he finished one place outside the number on the Challenge Tour in 2009 then went close at the Tour School that same year. In 2010 he focused his attention on playing the One Asia Tour and getting his game back together and he appears to be very much on track.
Paddison started today’s final round with a two shot lead over Pilkadaris and Pratt but through 5 holes Pratt had joined him in the lead at 16 under. A double bogey at the dangerous 9th would eventually be the difference for Pratt.
Pratt though continues to impress early in his professional career. His bounce back from an opening round of 73 was further proof that he is rapidly emerging as yet another fine young Australian professional.
Pilkadaris had also made a fast start and was challenging for a share of the lead early in the front nine but he would also drop shots before the turn. Although he eagled from the fairway at the 14th for the second time during Sunday’s final round he was unable to rein in the winner.
Peter Wilson recorded the equal best final round of 63 to finish 4th while another New Zealander, Mike Hendry, finished alone in 5th position.
