Jeffress wins Hi Lite Pro-Am
BY PGA of Australia | 06 Oct 2012
Steven Jeffress has come from seven shots behind overnight leader, Paul Donahoo, to claim the 20th Anniversary Hi Lite Pro Am presented by Jeep at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
Jeffress’ round of nine under par 63 today at the RACV Royal Pines Resort after an even par round of 72 at Palm Meadows yesterday. Jeffress finished one shot ahead of Glenn Joyner who recorded a 66 in today’s final round at Royal Pines.
Defending Champion Andrew Kelly finished in outright third, a further shot behind Joyner with Daniel Fox and Matthew Guyatt finishing in a tie for fourth.
Jeffress will now head to the Western Australian Open Championship in a couple of weeks time full of confidence. “This year has been a much improved year for me and it is really nice to get a win under my belt," said Jeffress. "My round of 63 today comes on the back of a lot of hard work and it is great to see it really starting to pay off.”
“This win is also timely as I have had a running bet with some of my mates on tour over the past few months. I indicated to them that I wasn’t to cut my hair until I notched my next victory. Today’s victory is certainly a welcome relief with my hair starting to get out of control, and I am really looking forward to booking a cut on Monday” Jeffress joked.
The Palm Meadows course certainly proved to be more of a test during the second round for first round leader Paul Donahoo. After carding a seven under par 65 at Royal Pines yesterday in the opening round, Donahoo could only manage a seven over par 79 today to finish well down the order in a tie for 26th.
The 20th anniversary Hi Lite Pro Am has been a celebration of an event that has done so much for professional golf in Australia, with Tournament Promoter John Ryan being the driving force behind this great event for the past 20 years. Over this time, John has provided professionals with an opportunity to play for in excess of $1.25 million in prizemoney with the Pro Am also going a long way to help some of Australia’s greatest golfers forge a career on the international stage.
With the Queensland Sunshine Tour about to wrap up, professionals will make their way to the final event of the 2011/12 Sunshine Tour season at the 33rd Howeston Pro Am on Tuesday. The Order of Merit Race is still up for grabs and will go down to the wire with Brad Andrews needing to play some fine golf if he is to catch current leader Grant Scott and take out a third Order of Merit title.
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