Blizard last man standing at WA Open
BY PGA of Australia | 30 Oct 2011
New South Welshman Rohan Blizard has won the John Hughes Geely/ Nexus Risk Services West Australian Open in dramatic fashion at Royal Fremantle Golf Club today.
The former Australian Amateur champion was a surprise winner following one of the most dramatic finales on Tour.
Entering the clubhouse at 10-under par, Blizard was tied for first with three other equal leaders in Matt Jager, Matt Stieger and Heath Reed still out on course.
“I was at best expecting a playoff so I was ready to go over to the range and hit some balls, but I saw them change the leaderboard so I didn’t have to do that in the end,” said Blizard.
What Blizard didn’t see was the co-leaders self destructing on the 17th hole.
Heath Reed triple bogeyed 17, Steiger double bogeyed and Jager bogeyed sending the trio back down the leaderboard.
Come the 18th hole Jager was the only person still in contention but needed an eagle to force a playoff.
In the end Jager managed to get up and down for par handing 27 year old Blizard his first professional title by two shots.
“I was watching the leaderboard all day, I got off to a good start on the front nine so I knew I was in with a chance going into the back nine but I thought I probably had to have one better which was lucky for me I guess.”
“But I’m ecstatic. My first professional victory is a big thing and I’ll always remember that.”
Crowd favourite and another former Australian Amateur Champion, Jager, finished in equal second at 8-under par alongside Ashley Hall and David McKenzie.
Reed finished a further shot back at 7-under.
Daniel Nisbet finished as the highest ranked amateur at 5-under par.
With the win Blizard received the $16,500 winners cheque along with a guaranteed start in the county’s biggest events including the Emirates Australian Open, Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, BMW NZ Open hosted by Christchurch and JBWere Masters.
The PGA Tour of Australasia now moves to Wollongong Golf Club for the NSW PGA Championship to be contested from November 3-6.
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