Long outruns Griffin for WA PGA victory
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2008 Western Australian PGA Championship | Round Four | 02 Nov 2008
Perth based New Zealander Michael Long has clinched the 2008 Oceanique WA PGA Championship, The Cut Golf Club in Port Bouvard, Western Australia earlier today.
At 13-under, Long (68-69-69-69) finished three shots clear of the fast finishing Victorian Matthew Griffin (70-71-73-64) with fellow Victorian Peter Wilson (73-69-70-67) a further shot back in outright third.
A former US Tour Player and two-time winner on the Nationwide Tour, Long produced a flawless display recording just the five bogeys throughout the 72-hole championship.
“I played extremely well this week and knew that if I could stick to my game plan, that someone else would have to play extra special to beat me”.
“Leading from start to finish makes this victory so much sweeter,” a delighted Long explained following his first Tour victory in five years.
An course record equalling eight-under, 64 by Griffin put some life into the tournament and set up a thrilling finish after Long had seemingly been in control of the tournament from the outset.
Griffin was Australia’s highest ranked amateur golfer in the World Amateur Teams Championship in Adelaide earlier this month, before turning professional last week.
“A runner-up cheque for $10,000 certainly beats winning a sandwich maker,” Griffin said in his acceptance speech.
Defending champion South Australian Jason Norris was solid in defence of his crown, finishing in a creditable 11th position after rounds of 70-69-77 and 72.
As the Tour heads to New South Wales next week Scott Draper returns to Riverside Oaks, the scene of his maiden professional victory for the $100,000 Cellarbrations NSW PGA Championship.
The Von Nida Tour season will culminate with The NSW Open at The Vintage Golf Resort in the Hunter Valley, from 13-16 November where the Money List Champion for 2008 will be revealed.
Source – PGA Australia
