David Micheluzzi has warmed up for the Australian PGA with a stunning final-round fightback to win the Victorian PGA at Moonah Links.
Having started Sunday’s fourth round six shots adrift of leader Kazuma Kobori, Micheluzzi’s shot 68 to finish at 14-under and win by a stroke from fellow Victorian Ben Eccles, who also posted a closing 68.
It was a horror finish for New Zealand’s Kobori, whose final round of five-over 77 resulted him finishing third at 11-under.
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Queensland’s Maverick Antcliff was two shots further back in fourth place, with three players – Jeffrey Guan, Austin Bautista and Adam Bland – in a tie for fifth at eight-under.
However, after a shaky start, the day belonged to 27-year-old Micheluzzi, the reigning PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit champion.
Micheluzzi double-bogeyed the par-five, 517-metre second hole after taking three shots to get out of a green-side bunker.
However, he put that mishap behind him quickly, sinking seven birdies over the next 12 holes.
Micheluzzi – who won three times on the PGA Tour of Australasia last season – then finished steadily, securing par at each of final four holes to edge out Eccles, who was in group ahead of him.
“The putter got so hot, it’s probably the best I’ve putted in quite a long time,” Micheluzzi said.
“I’m stoked with how everything went, and to have friends and family here just tops everything.”
Micheluzzi’s wins last season came at the NSW Open, the WA PGA Championship and the TPS Sydney.
Topping the order of merit standings secured him a DP World Tour card for the new season that starts this week at Royal Queensland, where Cam Smith will defend his Australian PGA title.
Sports reporter
