Gailes Golf Club Head Professional Matthew Docking has today claimed his third Australian PGA Professionals Championship title in four years.

Docking carded 1-over 72 in his final round to finish with a tournament total 3-under 210, three shots ahead of Warwick Golf Club Head Professional Sam Eaves.

“I was a little bit nervous on the first tee, I actually hit two great shots down the first with my second in to about five feet,” Docking said.

“I hit a couple of poor shots on two and actually holed a 35 footer for par there which was quite pleasing, but it didn’t quite happen for me early out there.

“I hit a chip shot on 14, I pretty much was dead.It was an impossible chip but I nearly holed it and it was probably the best shot I’ve hit all week. “I had just made a bogey at the 13^th so that got me back up and about again which was good.”

Eaves carded a course record equalling final round of 6-under 65 to finish outright second and book his start at the 2017 Australian PGA Championship alongside Docking and a world class ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour field. Despite the pressure being applied by the chasing Eaves, Docking said he felt confident throughout his round.

“I had a fair bit of faith in myself especially after my tee shot on the 15^th, it’s been giving me conniptions this week,”added Docking.

“I hit it in the fairway down there and left myself a really good number for my second, so once I got that tee shot out of the way I was pretty confident in my ability to get in to the clubhouse without causing any damage.

“I felt pretty comfortable with where I was at.”

Docking hasn’t finished outside the top-2 at Hamilton Island in the last four years, and will be looking to take this form into the Australian PGA Championship 30 November – 3 December, where he has failed to make the cut over the past three years.

This year’s edition will be one of the biggest yet with World Number 12 and current Masters Champion Sergio Garcia, 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott and announced today; World Number 13 Marc Leishman lining up at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

“I’m very excited about that, I’m really looking forward to getting there. I obviously played quite nicely this week and I look forward to following the same practice regime into the Australian PGA Championship,” Docking added.

“It’ll be fantastic, I was lucky enough as an amateur to line up against Marc Leishman and I’ve seen firsthand how he played as an amateur, he’s only gone from strength to strength since then.

“To be able to peg it up alongside those guys will be fantastic.”

Docking now joins Brad Burns as the only three-time winners of the Dan Cullen Cup.

Jade Fisher held her nerve over the final holes to finish as the leading female at the Australian PGA Professionals Championship. Fisher finished in 17^th position overall and one shot ahead of Katelyn Must to book her spot in the 2018 Oates Vic Open.