After winning the Australian PGA Senior Sand Greens Championship at Cobar Bowling and Golf Club in a playoff on Monday, Burns shot a round of 5-under-par 65 to match Onions, who picked up his third victory for 2025.

With a mixture of 12 grass and six sand scrape greens, the 5800m Warren Golf Club layout, north-west of Dubbo in country NSW, provided a unique challenge to the Legends field.

“I want to take all the sand home and start putting on that actually,” Burns joked.

“I putt really good on sand and not so good on grass.

“I was 6-under after 10 and then had a couple of three putts on the grass.”

Just five players broke the par of 70.

Turning point

Looking for his first outright win of the year, Onions was cruising at 5-under through 15 holes before he slipped up with a double-bogey at the par-3 16th hole to hand Burns top spot.

A bounce back birdie on 17 saw the Victorian walk off the last hole one shot behind as Burns came to 16. However he also failed to make a par, his second bogey of the back nine leaving the Queenslander with two holes to regain the solo lead.

Playing in the final group, Burns parred 17 and 18 to settle for a share of the title, his fourth for 2025.

Quick quotes

Burns said: “We always have a great time when we come here. It’s always good coming to the country. They’re all so hospitable and it’s always nice to come back.”

Onions said: “I’m happy to tie with the king of sand”.

Leading scores

T1 John Onions 65

T1 Brad Burns 65

T3 David Crawford 67

T3 Grahame Stinson 67

5 Tim Elliott 68

T6 Mark Boulton 70

T6 John Wade 70

T6 Nigel Weldon 70

April 28

Burns earns Australian PGA Senior Sand Greens title

Queensland’s Brad Burns has played his way into the $140,000 World Sand Greens Championship at Binalong courtesy of a playoff triumph at the Australian PGA Senior Sand Greens Championship at Cobar Bowling and Golf Club.

Forced into a Monday finish after rain prevented any play on Saturday, the PGA Legends Tour players extended their stay in Cobar so that the $50,000 tournament could have its full complement of 36 holes.

Trailing Murray Lott by a single shot after Round 1, Burns had to bounce back from a late bogey at the par-3 15th with consecutive birdies to shoot 68 and join Andre Stolz and Nigel Weldon at 7-under par.

The trio headed back to the par-4 18th where Burns was able to secure his third win for the season.

Quick quotes

“I thought I threw it away,” said Burns.

“Four holes to go, I bogeyed the par 3. Just a very ordinary chip.

“Birdied 16 and 17 and a nice little par on the last.

“It took me a while to get used to the sand greens again but just a great day.

“Great people up here, too. We’ve had a ball. They do a fantastic job of looking after us.”

Final scores
1          Brad Burns                   68-67—135
Won at first hole of sudden-death playoff
T2        Andre Stolz                  69-66—135
T2        Nigel Weldon               69-66—135
T4        David Fearns                71-65—136
T4        Murray Lott                  67-69—136
T6        Mark Hale                    72-66—138
T6        David McKenzie           71-67—138
T6        Adam Henwood          70-68—138
T6        Carl Smedley               69-69—138

Next up: Warren Golf Club Legends Pro-Am on Wednesday

April 6

Pilkadaris prevails in six-hole playoff in PNG

It took six playoff holes for Terry Pilkadaris to prevail over Jason Norris and claim the $100,000 PNG Senior Open at Lae Golf Club.

The Sunday showdown between the two form players of the PGA Legends Tour didn’t fail to disappoint.

A one-stroke leader overnight, Pilkadaris found himself trailing Norris by two strokes after just three holes.

A two-time winner already this season, Pilkadaris steadied and when Norris made double-bogey at the par-5 ninth the pair headed into the back nine level at 3-under par.

Birdies at 10 and 12 gave Norris the ascendancy once again, an advantage he extended to two strokes with birdie at the par-3 17th.

Yet there was a final twist in the tale.

Pilkadaris made birdie for the first time all week at the par-5 18th and when Norris missed a short putt for par and the tournament, extra holes were called for.

Both players had their chances – Pilkadaris saw a two-foot putt for the win dive left on him – before the Victorian claimed his third victory of the year.

Quick quotes

“That’s golf, it fluctuates,” said Pilkadaris.

“I didn’t have a good front nine – hit a couple of loose shots and made bogeys – and then back nine was really steady.

“Just kept plugging away, giving myself chances and then ‘Norrey’ made a mistake on 18 to let me in and so I sort of capitalised there.”

Final scores
1          Terry Pilkadaris             68-68-71—207
Won on sixth hole of sudden-death playoff
2          Jason Norris                 71-66-70—207
T3        Grahame Stinson         72-69-69—210
T3        Carl Smedley               66-75-69—210
5          Brad Burns                   72-71-68—211
T6        Murray Lott                  77-73-65—215
T6        Peter Senior                 74-71-70—215

April 5

Showdown looms at PNG Senior Open

The two form players of the 2025 PGA Legends Tour season to date will go toe-to-toe in the final round of the $100,000 PNG Senior Open at Lae Golf Club.

A two-time winner already this season, Terry Pilkadaris will start the third and final round with a slender one-stroke advantage at 6-under par from recent Murray Bridge Legends Pro-Am winner Jason Norris.

Given there is a four-stroke gap to Round 1 leader Carl Smedley (75) and Grahame Stinson (69), it is hard to see anyone other than Pilkadaris or Norris coming out on top.

Trailing Smedley by two at the start of Round 2, Pilkadaris made it back-to-back 68s as Norris stormed into outright second with an equal tournament best 5-under 66.

Quick quotes

“It’s a tight, tree-lined course and I kept it on the fairway most of the time and then just hit it on the green and give yourself the opportunities,” said Pilkadaris.

“I holed a nice putt on the ninth from about 20 feet and then hit a couple close to about four or five feet, which was good.

“Just didn’t make too many mistakes. I think I had one three-putt but apart from that it was all pretty cruisy.”

Leading scores (after Round 2)
1          Terry Pilkadaris             68-68—136
2          Jason Norris                 71-66—137
T3        Carl Smedley               66-75—141
T3        Grahame Stinson         72-69—141
5          Brad Burns                   72-71—143
6          Robert Farley                75-69—144

March 29

Henwood, Onions share Aston Hills win

Adam Henwood birdied the final hole to tie John Onions after an untimely lost ball on his penultimate hole at the QUBE Logistics Legends Pro-Am at Aston Hills Golf Club.

Perplexed that a ball he expected to finish just left of the fairway at the par-5 sixth could not be found, Henwood headed to the seventh tee on the back of a bogey and somewhat hot under the collar.

He ripped driver down the 315-metre par 4 to leave himself just 40 metres in, very nearly holing his pitch shot that would have secured an outright win.

As it was, a tap-in birdie was enough to match Onions’ round of 4-under 65 for a share of victory, one clear of John Wade (66) with David Diaz (67) outright fourth.

Quick quotes

“I got off to a pretty ordinary start,” said Onions.

“I hit it in the lake on the first hole but managed to make par out of there.

“I’ve been putting really well and had a run through the middle of the round where I burned 4-under for three holes.

“A couple of mistakes coming in but I managed to save something with a putter.”

“I nearly holed the second shot,” Henwood said of his approach into the final hole.

“There was nothing else but birdie. I mean, it could have been, but in my mind I was so upset might be the right word. There was nowhere to lose it there.

“Hit the best drive of the day, went miles down, and only had like a 40-metre pitch and nearly holed it.

“I was lucky it didn’t hit the pin actually because then it would’ve finished somewhere not great. But just left me a little tap in which was good.”

Leading scores
T1        John Onions                65
T1        Adam Henwood          65
3          John Wade                   66
4          David Diaz                   67
T5        Peter Lonard                69
T5        Tim Elliott                     69

March 28

Walters’ winning ways continue at Glenn Joyner Pro-Am

Euan Walters paid tribute to the PGA Legends Tour legacy left by the late Glenn Joyner after taking out the Metro Homes Glenn Joyner Memorial Legends Pro-Am.

Walters’ round of 6-under 64 at Thaxted Park Golf Course was enough to finish one clear of John Onions (65), his second straight PGA Legends Tour victory.

Trading two birdies with a bogey to be 1-under after three holes, Walters kept a clean card for the remainder of his round.

Starting from the 10th tee, he turned in 3-under and then picked up further birdies at one, two and five to post 6-under.

Onions birdied his second-to-last hole – the par-3 eighth – but had to settle for second after making par at the par-4 ninth.

Peter Lonard had eight birdies in his round of 4-under 66 to snare third, Murray Lott and Simon Pope tied for fourth with rounds of 67.

Quick quotes

“I’ve known Glenn for probably 30 years,” said Walters.

“We used to play on tour against one another so obviously it was sad to see Glenn pass away a couple of years ago.

“The other side of the coin is that I think he actually played some of his best golf towards the end.

“He got to fulfil some of his dreams and was very successful on the Legends tour, and obviously he’s part of the reason why a lot of these events continue on.

“It’s been a good journey, but hard work. I had to make a lot of changes in my swing and stuff like that but very grateful for the win.

“I know it’s not going to last forever, but we’ll keep practising.”

Leading scores
1          Euan Walters                64
2          John Onions                65
3          Peter Lonard                66
T4        Simon Pope                 67
T4        Murray Lott                  67

March 27

Walters wins second Flagstaff Hill title

A run of three birdies in four holes provided Euan Walters the foundation to go one better than last year and claim an outright victory at the Living Choice Flagstaff Hill Legends Pro-Am at Flagstaff Hill Golf Club.

Joint winner with Jason Norris and Nicholas Robb 12 months ago, Walters’ early hot streak gave him enough of an edge to absorb a three-putt bogey on his final hole for a round of 3-under 67 a one-stroke win.

Playing in the same group as Walters, Murray Lott (68) birdied his final hole to claim outright second, Brad Burns (69), Michael Long (69) and Peter Brown (69) tied third.

Quick quotes
“I tied with a couple of others last year, so it’s good to get a solo win. Pays a little bit better, too,” said Walters.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a win, so it’s good to get it done.

“I’ve been playing pretty good but not really finishing it off but played really well today.

“Still didn’t finish it off. Had a three-putt on the last, which was disappointing, but fortunate enough to get the job done.”

Leading scores
1          Euan Walters                67
2          Murray Lott                  68
T3        Brad Burns                   69
T3        Michael Long (NZ)        69
T3        Peter Brown                 69

March 24

Joint winners at SA PGA Senior Foursomes

The vagaries of foursomes once again came to the fore, resulting in joint winners of the SA PGA Senior Foursomes Championship at The Vines Golf Club of Reynella.

A number of groups had chances to claim the outright victory over the final few holes yet in the end two could not be separated, Mike Zilko and Guy Wall sharing top spot with Brendan Chant and Simon Pope.

Zilko and Wall and Chant and Pope both returned scores of 1-over 72 to be declared joint winners, two strokes clear of Brad Burns and Bryan Milligan.

Quick quotes

“Would’ve probably been nice to win outright, but ‘Chanty’ stuffed up a bit and I stuffed up a bit, so we’ll give it both ways,” said Pope.

“The course is in really, really good nick. This golf course, it was struggling about 20 years ago and now with the couch covering it’s awesome.

“Well done to the golf club and thanks to them for letting us play.”

Leading scores
T1        Mike Zilko/Guy Wall                 72
T1        Brendan Chant/Simon Pope     72
3          Brad Burns/Bryan Milligan        74
4          Glenn Roberts/Wayne Rogers  78

March 20

Norris defends at Murray Bridge Legends

Defending champion Jason Norris bettered the course record set by Murray Lott 24 hours earlier to claim a second straight victory at the Spry Civil Construction Murray Bridge GC Legends Pro-Am.

With two new holes in play at Murray Bridge this year, Lott’s 5-under 65 in Round 1 established a new course record, Norris going one better on day two with a superb 6-under 64.

Victorious at Murray Bridge two years ago – and a course where he played a lot when based in Adelaide – Norris posted 9-under for two rounds to finish five strokes clear of Lott and Peter Lonard.

Four birdies in the space of five holes on the front nine got Norris moving in the right direction, the lure of Lott’s new course low mark encouraging him to push on through the back nine.

“I forgot about the new holes in the new course record when I heard Murray had it,” Norris said.

“It actually inspired me today when I was 4-under early. I started struggling but worked hard and made a couple of putts coming in.”

Quick quotes

“I love looking at the scores, being under pressure,” said Norris.

“Sometimes you bugger up, but it’s good fun to try and beat that.

“I’m always a score looker, so I saw the lead, but it doesn’t mean anything around here. You can easily make a double or triple around this place.

“I just love this place. I’ve played here a lot. It’s sort of my second club when I used to live here, so I know a lot of the club members here and it was just a great day.”

Leading scores
1          Jason Norris                 67-64—131
T2        Murray Lott                  65-71—136
T2        Peter Lonard                66-70—136
T4        Carl Smedley               68-70—138
T4        Nigel Lane                    69-69—138
6          Adam Henwood          70-69—139

March 11

Lonard triumphs at Maffra Legends

Peter Lonard picked apart the par 5s and came away a two-shot winner at the inaugural Maffra Legends Pro-Am at Maffra Golf Club.

Playing the Maffra layout for the first time, Lonard birdied consecutive par 5s at four and five and then added a third in succession at the par-4 sixth.

He made it a clean sweep of the three-shotters with further birdies at 14 and 18 in his round of 6-under 66.

It was enough to finish two strokes clear of the field, David Tapping, Carl Smedley, David Fearns and Tim Elliott all sharing second at 4-under, players speaking effusively during presentations about the presentation and playability of the putting surfaces presented by Maffra Golf Club.

Quick quotes

“Yeah not bad. Never played here before,” said Lonard of his round.

“There were a few little doglegs there and I probably got away with a few and got a bit lucky but I played pretty solidly.

“I’ve played pretty well the past week or so so it was nice to finish it off.”

Leading scores
1          Peter Lonard                66
T2        David Tapping              68
T2        Carl Smedley               68
T2        David Fearns                68
T2        Tim Elliott                     68

March 9

Four to the fore at Bairnsdale

Birdie putts slid by and par putts dropped late to leave four players tied at the top at The Big Garage Bairnsdale Golf Club Legends Pro-Am at Bairnsdale Golf Club.

One of the best presented regional courses in Victoria was  lauded by every player who teed it up, none more so than the four who finished locked together at 3-under 68 at day’s end.

The resurgent Brad Burns holed a par putt from just inside 30 feet to stay at 3-under, David Crawford let an opportunity slip on his penultimate hole, John Onions holed a pitch shot for eagle at the par-4 fifth and David McKenzie birdied his final hole – the par-5 18th – to also join the winner’s circle.

The quartet finished one clear of another group of four players, Peter Lonard, Terry Pilkadaris, Neale Smith and Paul Griffiths all posting 2-under 69.

Quick quotes

“I got off to a pretty poor start,” said Onions.

“I had a couple of three-putts early on, but just fought back. I holed a pitch shot for eagle which got me to a couple under and then after that, just lots of fairways, lots of greens.

“Course was beautiful.”

“Tthere’s a lot of stuff to make it hard to play, but it’s in great condition,” said McKenzie.

“The greens are fantastic. They firmed up the last few holes, so it’s a tricky little course to play, but a lot of fun at the same time.

“I don’t know how many times I could count playing down here. I always love coming down to Bairnsdale. It’s a great little town.”

“I had a putt on the second last hole, the par 5 going down the hill,” Crawford said of his chance to win outright.

“I had a three-footer, allowed a little bit of break. Thought if I get 4-under going up the last, I thought I got a chance of taking it out outright, but it didn’t happen.

“It was a fantastic golf course and the golf course was set up beautifully.”

“It’s quite strong actually,” Burns said of the Bairnsdale layout. “There’s some strong fours out there, you’ve got to shape the ball around the corners and if you don’t drive it well you’re going to have heaps.

“The greens are great. The hospitality’s fantastic as well.”

Leading scores
T1        Brad Burns                   68
T1        John Onions                68
T1        David McKenzie           68
T1        David Crawford            68
T5        Paul Griffiths                69
T5        Neale Smith                 69
T5        Peter Lonard                69
T5        Terry Pilkadaris             69

March 7

McKenzie, Long share Gardiners Run win

Stellar putting displays have earned David McKenzie and Michael Long a share of victory at the Gardiners Run Legends Pro-Am.

Two experienced players on international seniors tours, McKenzie and Long both hailed the quality of the golf course – in particular, the putting surfaces – as they each shot 7-under 65 at Gardiners Run Golf Course.

McKenzie actually played with the course superintendent and credited his win for not doing “anything stupid”.

McKenzie and Long finished three shots clear of Tim Elliott (68) with a four-way tie for fourth between Mark Sheppard, Brad Burns, Brendan Chant and Richard Backwell.

Quick quotes

“It’s been a tough week actually,” said Long.

“The first four rounds, you wouldn’t have thought I was going to do that today.

“It hasn’t felt that far away and then today it just turned around.

“Course is great; it’s improving all the time. Obviously I’m going to say the greens are great – I did hole a lot of putts – but the course is maturing and just getting better and better.”

“I got off to a nice little start with a couple of birdies early,” said McKenzie.

“It wasn’t pretty golf for the most part, but I managed it really well.

“Made all the putts that I needed to and didn’t really do anything stupid.

“It seems like it’s really easy when you just don’t miss anything and don’t do anything stupid.”

Leading scores
T1        Michael Long               65
T1        David McKenzie           65
3          Tim Elliott                     68
T4        Mark Sheppard            69
T4        Brad Burns                   69
T4        Brendan Chant             69
T4        Richard Backwell          69

March 6

Lonard, Burns joint winners at Mandalay

Brad Burns birdied his final hole as Peter Lonard narrowly missed doing the same as the pair shared victory at the Undercover Roasters Legends Pro-Am at Club Mandalay Golf Course.

Burns and Lonard separated themselves from the rest of the field with rounds of 6-under 66 but couldn’t be split from each other.

One-over after two bogeys early in his round, Burns made eagle at the par-3 17th but needed birdie at the par-5 second to get to 6-under.

Lonard was 7-under on his round when he made bogey at the par-3 seventh and then just missed his birdie try at his final hole, the par-4 eighth, to finish level with Burns.

Grahame Stinson went bogey free in his round of 3-under 68 to snare third, one clear of Euan Walters and Bryan Milligan.

Quick quotes

“The members are fantastic and the greenkeepers do a great job,” said Burns.

“I had seven birdies and an eagle and a couple of three-putts unfortunately.

“That’s the best I’ve played in quite some time, so it’s a pleasure to play here.

“I’ve had the putting woes for the last four or five rounds, but today I actually started actually holing some putts again.”

“I got to seven, which is the par 3, and I just misjudged the wind,” said Lonard of his only bogey of the round.

“I thought the wind was into me and apparently it wasn’t. Then I had to chip it out of the rocks, 20 yards over the back, so I was actually lucky to make bogey.

“I had a chance for birdie on the last from about 10, 15 feet and missed it, but I hit a good putt.

“The course was fantastic. The fairways were really good. I hit a couple of them and the greens were magnificent.”

Leading scores
T1        Brad Burns                   66
T1        Peter Lonard                66
3          Grahame Stinson         68
T4        Bryan Milligan              69
T4        Euan Walters                69

March 5

Fearns finds form at Portsea

Queenslander David Fearns broke a six-year drought in fine fashion with a two-stroke victory at the Higgins Coatings Portsea Legends Pro-Am at Portsea Golf Club.

Not since 2019 at Concord and Pymble had Fearns found himself in the winner’s circle but a hot start provided the foundation to a round of 4-under 67, two clear of Euan Walters (69) and Peter Lonard (69).

Starting his round with pars at 17 and 18, Fearns caught fire with three straight birdies from the par-4 first and then countered a bogey on six with a birdie on eight.

Further birdies at 14 and 15 built enough of a buffer that a closing bogey was little more than a blip.

Quick quotes

“I’m really happy every time we come to Portsea,” said Fearns.

“It’s difficult, so it’s nice to play well at Portsea.

“The fairways were actually pretty fast. There was lots of run out there.

“The greens were beautiful; it was nice.”

Leading scores
1          David Fearns                67
T2        Euan Walters                69
T2        Peter Lonard                69
T4        Terry Pilkadaris             70
T4        Tim Elliott                     70

March 4

Lane back on track at Settlers Run

Nigel Lane shrugged off some indifferent form and a shaky start to take out the Settlers Run Legends Pro-Am at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club.

Starting from the third tee, Lane made a bright start with a birdie at the par-4 fourth but dropped back to 1-over with consecutive bogeys at five and six.

It would be just a temporary setback though as he responded with birdies at seven and nine on his way to a round of 5-under 67 and a two-stroke victory.

On the back of his win at Settlers Run the day prior Scott Barr backed up with a round of 3-under 69 to finish second, one clear of Carl Smedley.

Quick quotes

“That was about two feet away,” Lane said of his shot into 18 to set up birdie.

“That was really nice. From the left side of the fairway, maybe just a little bit in the rough. That was probably actually the shot of the day.

“Struck the ball really nicely today actually, which is a bit different to recently. The last few days I couldn’t hit it hard at all, but today I found something and it went straight at it most of the time.”

Leading scores
1          Nigel Lane                    67
2          Scott Barr                     69
3          Carl Smedley               70
T4        Gavin Coyle                  71
T4        Derrin Morgan             71
T4        John Onions                71
T4        Murray Lott                  71

March 3

Barr triumphs ahead of US campaign

A timely win on home soil will fuel Scott Barr to attack opportunities on offer through the PGA TOUR Champions in the US.

Denied a full 2025 card in heartbreaking circumstances at Q School in December, Barr will tee it up in Monday qualifiers on the back of a one-stroke win at the Southern Golf Club Legends Pro-Am.

A four-time winner on the PGA Legends Tour in 2024, Barr found something in his swing and navigated Southern Golf Club’s immaculate putting surfaces to finish one clear of Grahame Stinson (69) with Simon Pope (70) outright third.

Barr will soon head to the US, aware that trying to play his way into tournaments will come with its challenges.

“It’s a pretty brutal way to do it, so I am aware of that,” said Barr.

“There could be some mental damage going through that so I’m really trying to strategise how I don’t throw all my eggs in one basket.

“I’ll just do it at a pace that I feel confident with.”

Quick quotes

“I got off to a hot start, birdied the first three, so I was in the race from the word go,” said Barr.

“I did a bit of work on the range yesterday and figured something out with my swing, which had been coming for a while.

“I felt in control of the ball most of the day with my hitting; I hit it very well actually. And these greens were saucy. They were fast; super-fast.
“You had to keep your nerve. I holed a couple of mid-range eight-footers but I did blunder a few times, which let the field in down the stretch.

“I was watching the leaderboard coming in, which is a habit that I’m going to start to do. I think I need to do that just to know where you are in the field so you can finish off rounds better.”

Leading scores
1          Scott Barr                     68
2          Grahame Stinson         69
3          Simon Pope                 70
T4        David Diaz                   71
T4        Terry Pilkadaris             71
T4        Mark Boulton               71
T4        David McKenzie           71
T4        Derrin Morgan             71
T4        Stuart Beament            71

March 1

Hobbled Isherwood victorious at The Valley

His tortured feet almost failed him but Michael Isherwood was able to snare his first Legends Tour win in close to a year at The Valley Legends Pro-Am on the Mornington Peninsula.

The new shoes that Isherwood wore on Tuesday did enough damage to consider not playing at all but the use of a cart enabled the 53-year-old to shoot 5-under 62 for a one-stroke win.

Teeing off from the 14th hole alongside Scott Ford, Isherwood was 4-under through seven holes courtesy of birdies at 15, 16, 18 and two.

Eagle at the par-4 eighth countered bogeys at five and nine, birdies at 10 and 11 enough to build a winning advantage ahead of the in-form Terry Pilkadaris (63) with West Australian Brendan Chant (64) outright third.

Quick quotes

“Being not a very smart individual, I managed to wear a brand new pair of shoes on Tuesday and completely destroyed my heel,” said Isherwood.

“And when you get old man skin, you’ll realise you rip your whole foot off. Unless I got put in a cart today, I don’t think I would’ve even made it around.

“Pretty happy that I managed to grab a win out of it considering I didn’t even think I’d be able to walk around.”

Leading scores
1          Michael Isherwood      62
2          Terry Pilkadaris             63
3          Brendan Chant             64
T4        Mark Boulton               66
T4        Scott Barr                     66
T4        Lucien Tinkler               66
T4        Terry Price                    66

February 26

Pilkadaris tops again at Portarlington

Stars were out in force yet Terry Pilkadaris proved again why he is the hottest player on the PGA Legends Tour with a one-stroke win at the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

Portarlington Golf Club is always a popular stop on the Legends Tour calendar with the likes of Peter Lonard and PGA TOUR Champions players Richard Green and David McKenzie thrilling Portarlington members with their presence.

McKenzie is now one of them, made an honorary member after making an almost mythical ace on a par-4 for albatross, just carrying the front bunker and scurrying up the green before hitting the pin and dropping for his first career albatross at the 241-metre 13th.

“I’ve never had a ‘3-under’ one before, I’ll take that every time!” beamed McKenzie, who owns eight career hole-in-ones.

“What a day – I’m loving it!”

Conversely, Pilkadaris compiled a round of 5-under 67 with six birdies and a lone bogey to finish one clear of Lonard (68) with Green sharing third with Tim Elliott at 3-under 69.

Quick quotes

“It was a good day. Great weather, course was in really good condition,” said Pilkadaris.

“If you hit the ball in the right position, you’d capitalise. And that’s what I did.

“I capitalised on the par 5s coming in, managed to make birdies on those and consolidate the score.

“I’ve been doing some work with a putting specialist in the US, Geoff Mangum. I’m bringing him out – he arrives on Thursday – and he’s going to help me with my putting and also do some clinics and lessons for anyone.

“I think I had the yips and he’s starting to fix that. Now I’m starting to hole some putts and it’s going along nicely.”

Leading scores
1          Terry Pilkadaris             67
2          Peter Lonard                68
T3        Tim Elliott                     69
T3        Richard Green              69
T5        Chris Hynes                  71
T5        Shane Johnson            71
T5        Peter Woodward          71
T5        Tony Page                    71

February 25

McKenzie makes rarest of birds

He’s done a lot of things in golf, David McKenzie, but never an albatross.

That was until today at Portarlington when the Victorian drilled a driver 241 metres for the almost mythical ace on a par-4 during the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on the PGA Legends Tour.

McKenzie’s drive just carried the front bunker and scurried up the green before hitting the pin and dropping for his first career albatross.

But from the tee, with the bunker obscuring his view, the 57-year-old thought it had landed in the sand when a puff of sand arose as his ball landed.

It wasn’t until the crowd erupted as he approached the green – and he was urged to do a “shooey” in celebration – that he realised the magic that had unfolded.

“There’s no way I’m doing a shooey,” McKenzie said as he guzzled a drink in a far more customary manner to celebrate.

“That’s unbelievable … and turns a terrible day into a much better one.

“I hit a driver because I was a bit cranky so that’s why I wasn’t hitting 3-wood, but I was sure it went into the bunker.

“I saw sand come up and (thought nothing of it). That’s crazy.”

McKenzie, the reigning NSW Senior Open champion, estimated that it was his eighth hole-in-one.

“But I’ve never had a ‘3-under, one before, I‘ll take that every time!” he beamed.

“What a day – I’m loving it!”

McKenzie tipped a casual five points into his team’s stableford balance and also won 20 points for the bullseye-style competition on offer for the second shot on that hole in one of the events separate competitions.

He was later presented with an honorary Portarlington Golf Club membership for his history-making shot.

Leading scores
1 Terry Pilkadaris
-5 67

2
AUS NSW Peter Lonard
-4 68

T3
AUS VIC Tim Elliott
-3 69

T3
AUS VIC Richard Green
-3 69

T5
AUS VIC Christopher Hynes
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Shane Johnson
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Peter Woodward
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Tony Page
-1 71

Legends Tour: Pilkadaris masterful at Moama

He spends much of his time coaching these days but some tips from American ‘putting theorist’ Geoff Mangum propelled Terry Pilkadaris to a commanding win at the Moama Masters Rich River.

A second eagle on his round at the final hole saw Pilkadaris earn a share of the Round 1 lead with fellow Victorian Shane Johnson at 7-under 65 at Rich River Golf Club.

They had a two-stroke buffer but it was Pilkadaris who kept the foot to the floor, backing it up with a 6-under 66 for a 13-under total and six-stroke win.

Reigning PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz finished outright second at 7-under par with 66-year-old Michael Harwood winding back the clock to snare third.

Quick quotes

“I’ve been doing some work online with an American guy, Geoff Mangum. I’m actually bringing him out next week and we’ve just been working hard on holing putts. I haven’t been holing any putts for the last four or five years, so finally holed some putts, which was nice.

“Hit some good iron shots and drove it well and all adds up to a good score.

“I was a bit nervous because the scores weren’t getting updated and I saw Andre (Stolz) was playing nicely.

“The scores hadn’t updated and he was on the 13th hole. I’m trying to work out what I am and what have you but I hit some nice shots coming in and capitalised.”

Leading scores
1          Terry Pilkadaris             65-66—131
2          Andre Stolz                  69-68—137
3          Michael Harwood        69-69—138
T4        David McKenzie           70-69—139
T4        Shane Johnson            65-74—139

February 19

Burns, Taylor claim Vic Foursomes again

Queensland pair Brad Burns and Chris Taylor have teamed up for a second win in three years at the ‘The Jack Harris & Brian Twite’ Victorian PGA Seniors Foursomes Championship.

Played at Rich River Golf Club’s East Course ahead of the $30,000 Moama Masters, Burns and Taylor bounced back from a shaky start to post 4-under 68 for a four-stroke win.

The winners in 2023 and tied for fourth 12 months ago, the Queenslanders rode Taylor’s hot putter over their final nine holes for a comfortable win ahead of Andre Stolz and David Crawford.

Quick quotes

“We started off fairly unsteady,” conceded Burns.

“We three-putted the first hole so we were 1-over after the first nine holes.

“Chris hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in and then the last nine we holed a few putts and shot 5-under.

“Chris is a great ball-striker and when he gets that putter hot, he’s away.

“We just gel on the golf course and it’s a pleasure to play with him all the time.”

Leading scores
1          Brad Burns/Chris Taylor            68
T2        Andre Stolz/David Crawford    72
T3        Brendan Chant/Simon Pope     73
T3        Terry Pilkadaris/Neale Smith     73
T3        David McKenzie/Wayne Rogers            73
T3        Chris Hynes/Carl Smedley        73

February 18

Guy’s walk in the Park

A birdie-birdie finish has clinched Guy Wall a second win on the PGA Legends Tour season at The White Glove Mover Legends Pro-Am at Albert Park Golf Course in Melbourne.

Victorious at the Waihi Legends Pro-Am on the New Zealand swing, Wall shot 5-under 65 at Albert Park to edge Peter Brown (66) with tournament host David Diaz tied for third along with Andre Stolz, Peter Woodward and Simon Pope at 3-under par.

Wall credited his work on the putting green with coach John Serhan and time spent using Keiser gym equipment in the off-season for his strong start to the year.

“I’m a Keiser convert,” said Wall.

“If you’re looking after the body, looking after the swing, looking after the putting, it’s got to work.”

Starting his round with a par at the par-5 11th, Wall advanced up the leaderboard with birdies at 12, 14 and 16.

An errant tee shot led to a lone bogey at the par-4 fifth but he responded with a birdie on six and then two closing birdies at nine and 10 to finish one-stroke clear.

Quick quotes

“I’ve been working hard on the putter in our off-season,” said Wall.

“Changed putters to an even roll and putted awesome. I think I had 26 putts for the day.

“We were talking coming down the last couple with David Hill and he said, are you a scoreboard watcher? And I said, no, I’m just going to try and hit the best shots possible over the last couple of holes and see what happens.

“As it turned out, I’ve finished birdie-birdie.”

Leading scores
1          Guy Wall                      65
2          Peter Brown                 66
T3        Andre Stolz                  67
T3        Peter Woodward          67
T3        Simon Pope                 67
T3        David Diaz                   67

February 7

Barson wins again at St Clair Legends

A new force is emerging on the PGA Legends Tour with Kiwi Dominic Barson winning for a second time this season in dominant fashion at the St Clair Legends Pro-Am in Dunedin.

A three-stroke winner at the Pegasus Legends Pro-Am, Barson shot 7-under 64 at St Clair Golf Club to win by five strokes from in-form Queenslander Murray Lott (69) with three players sharing third place at even par.

Fifth at Legends Tour Q School last January, Barson joined the Tour late last year and had top-10 finishes at Moss Vale and Pymble.

He got through First Stage of PGA TOUR Champions School in the US and now looks set to challenge for the Order of Merit title in 2025.

Barson made the perfect start to his round at St Clair, opening with a bogey at the par-5 14th.

That was followed by birdies at 15, 18 and one to be 5-under through six holes.

He backed up a birdie at 5 with three on the trot from the eighth hole to reach 9-under par, bogeys at two of his final three holes reducing the winning margin by two.

Leading scores
1          Dominic Barson           64
2          Murray Lott                  69
T3        Brad Burns                   71
T3        Ben Jackson                 71
T3        Roland Baglin               71

February 5

Powell, Lott share honours at Gleniti

A birdie on his final hole has seen Victorian Paul Powell match Murray Lott’s total of 3-under 69 and share victory at the Gleniti Legends Pro-Am near Timaru on New Zealand’s South Island.

Starting from the 11th hole, Powell had birdies at 13, 17 and one before dropping back to 2-under with a bogey at the par-4 third.

After three birdies and three bogeys in his opening seven holes, Lott started the front nine at Gleniti Golf Club even par but peeled off birdies at two, four, six and nine to be 4-under and two strokes ahead.

But Lott’s bogey on 10 and Powell’s birdie at the same hole saw the pair finished locked together at 3-under.

Lott and Powell both finished one stroke clear of a quartet of players at 2-under.

Leading scores
T1        Paul Powell       69
T1        Murray Lott      69
T3        James Kupa      70
T3        Brad Burns       70
T3        Mark Sandri     70
T3        Martin Pettigrew          70

February 4

Barson wins by three at Pegasus Pro-Am

Kiwi Dominic Barson displayed the type of form that got him into Final Stage of PGA TOUR Champions Q School to take out the Pegasus Legends Pro-Am at Pegasus Golf Club near Christchurch.

The third individual event of the New Zealand swing to kick off the 2025 PGA Legends Tour season, Barson made it a win for the locals with a superb round of 6-under 66.

The 50-year-old made it through to Final Stage last November by finishing tied for 15th at First Stage, level with Australian Brendan Jones who went on to secure his card at Final Stage in Arizona.

Although Barson was not successful in earning full playing rights for 2025, the experience appeared to pay off as he bounced back from an early bogey to post five birdies and an eagle to finish three clear of Brisbane’s Murray Lott (69).

There was a three-way tie for third with Waihi Legends Pro-Am winner Guy Wall tied with Brad Burns and Martin Pettigrew.

Leading scores
1          Dominic Barson           66
2          Murray Lott                  69
T3        Brad Burns                   70
T3        Martin Pettigrew          70
T3        Guy Wall                      70
6          Christopher Massie      71

February 3

Australia retains Charles-Nagle Trophy

The Charles-Nagle Trophy remains in Australian hands after an enthralling contest that went down to the final match at Harewood Golf Club.

With Sir Bob Charles on hand to present the winning team with the trophy, the Aussies got off to a fast start as Brad Burns and David Fearns completed a 5&4 win over Dominic Barson and Martin Pettigrew.

The Kiwis got a point on the board thanks to Dean Sipson and Craig Mitchell’s 4&2 win over Ben Jackson and Roland Baglin, the match square at 1.5 points each when Guy Wall and Murray Lott halved their match with Dell Bain and Peter Giles.

The final result would hinge on the last match, Scott Ford and John Onions prevailing over Malcolm Wells and Mike Gainsford 3&2 to secure the win for the Australians.

Final scores
Brad Burns/David Fearns def. Dominic Barson/Martin Pettigrew (NZ) 5&4
Dean Sipson/Craig Mitchell (NZ) def. Ben Jackson/Roland Baglin 4&2
Guy Wall/Murray Lott halved Dell Bain/Peter Giles (NZ)
Scott Ford/John Onions def. Malcolm Wells/Mike Gainsford (NZ) 3&2

February 2

Massie stuns with NZ PGA Seniors Pro-Am win

Two superb rounds have earned Queenslander Chris Massie a maiden PGA Legends Tour win at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools NZ PGA Seniors Pro-Am Championship at Hamner Springs Golf Club.

In his second year on the seniors circuit, Massie opened up a two-stroke lead with a round of 6-under 62 on day one and then followed that up with a 4-under 64 in Round 2 for a 10-under total.

Massie’s best finish in his rookie season was a tie for 13th at Tin Can Bay but he showed few signs of nerves as he held off Murray Lott (64-63) by one stroke with Brad Burns (64-66) and Dominic Barson (64-66) three shots further back in third.

Leading scores
1          Chris Massie                 62-64—126
2          Murray Lott                  64-63—127
T3        Brad Burns                   64-66—130
T3        Dominic Barson           64-66—130
5          Ben Jackson                 67-67—134

January 30

Wall has his way at Waihi Legends

Pymble’s Guy Wall made the perfect start to the 2025 PGA Legends Tour season with a two-stroke victory at the Expol Waihi Legends Pro-Am at Waihi Golf Club.

It is the third year in succession that the Legends Tour season has kicked off on New Zealand’s North Island and the second time in three years that Wall has won the season-opener.

A winner at Hanmer Springs two years ago, Wall shot 6-under 66 at Waihi to claim victory from West Australian Rob Farley (68) with Kiwi pair Dell Bain and Dominic Barson sharing third with rounds of 2-under 70.

Leading scores
1          Guy Wall          66
2          Robert Farley    68
T3        Dell Bain          70
T3        Dom Barson     70
T5        Justin Hooper  71
T5        Ben Jackson     71