Australia's Nick O'Hern shed his
reputation as golf's perennial runner-up when he chipped in from a
greenside bunker on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff Sunday
with Peter Lonard to win the Australian PGA.
O'Hern holed out from the sand near the 18th green to claim his
first major professional title since 1999 and end a series of 56
top-10 placings without a victory and to clinch the 2006
Australasian Order of Merit.
His playoff win came as an emotional reprieve after he had missed
a 2 1-2-foot putt on the 18th green at the end of 72 regulation
holes to blow a one-shot lead and force the tournament into a
marathon playoff.
O'Hern and Lonard returned to the 18th tee four times, recording
matching pars three times, before O'Hern's miraculous shot from the
bunker presented him with his second professional title.
Lonard won the Australian PGA in 2002 and 2004.
``It was hard work after I missed that putt (on 18),'' a tearful
O'Hern said. ``To regroup from there was a real challenge.
``It's been a long time waiting for a win. I know a lot of people
said it wasn't going to happen but it has, and I couldn't be
happier.''
O'Hern said his win confirmed his own belief that he had the
ability to win major tournaments.
``Having been without a win for so long was a gap on my resume
but I believe I'm a potential major winner,'' he said.
``It was incredibly important today to get the job done. If it
hadn't happened today it would have taken a long time to recover.''
O'Hern and Lonard started the day tied at 18-under par and both
had moments in the outright lead before O'Hern pulled a stroke clear
over the last nine holes.
Lonard finished with a 68 and O'Hern, needing his short final
putt at 18 for a one-stroke victory, squirted the ball past the hole
for a 68 as well.
Australia's Wade Ormsby had a closing 67 to finish in third place
at 19-under par.
Ormsby challenged for the lead with five birdies on the front
nine Sunday but finished with 10 straight pars.
``The boys up the front were shooting such low, low numbers it
was hard to hang with them in the end but not to worry, I'm happy
with third,'' Ormsby said.
``The putter dried up coming home. I had some good opportunities
there but I just didn't take them.''
The tournament concluded the 2006 Australasian PGA tour schedule.
O'Hern's win allowed him to overtake American Kevin Stadler for the
tour's money title.
