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Harrison Endycott has revealed he is digging deep for answers – including giving up alcohol – as he tries to play his way back on to the PGA TOUR as a full member.
Ahead of Tour School beginning in Florida this week, Endycott said he made the decision to shun the drink after a moderately-successful 2023 rookie season.
The revolution comes in a video featuring the Sydney professional compiled by the PGA TOUR during the recent Fall Series.
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be over here more than anything,” he told PGA Tour Media. “I wanted to go play the tour with my idols and all that. And I’d be the first admit, I got out here and I forgot very quickly.
“A lot of new things … more money and partying and enjoying yourself, things like that. I was losing what this game really meant for me.
“I made a decision to get sober. Alcohol took me to a dark area and having the time off after Wyndham (Championship) was the best thing that could ever have happened.”
Watch the Harrison Endycott feature here
The 27-year-old Endycott was 129th in the Fedex Cup points list in 2023, meaning that his card was not guaranteed, and he finished 140th in the Fall Series, sending him back to tour school.
At the moment he has conditional status for 2024, which is why he is teeing it up in Jacksonville this week.
“I feel like I’m in a really good place mentally and physically coming into the fall,” said Endycott. “I’m hungry for the opportunity now.”
The tour school returns in 2023 for the first time in a decade.
The top five players and ties earn immediate promotion to the PGA TOUR for 2024.
There are 168 players in the field who will play four rounds with no cut.
Alongside Endycott will be the likes of David Micheluzzi, John Lyras and Tom Power Horan among the cluster of Australians, the latter trio all graduating to final stage through their positions on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in 2022-23.
Those who do not make the top five still have a chance of grabbing Korn Ferry Tour by getting into the top 40.
PHOTO: Harrison Endycott is aiming to find his way back to the US Tour. Image: Getty
Tee times AEDT
DP World Tour
AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open
Heritage La Réserve GC, Mauritius
Australasians playing:
Sam Jones (NZ)
Haydn Barron
Andrew Martin
Asian Tour
Saudi Open
Riyadh Golf Club
2.35pm* Itthipat Buranatanyarat, Othman Almulla, Andrew Dodt
2.45pm Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Kevin Yuan
3.05pm Todd Sinnott, Ben Leong, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai
3.15pm* Travis Smyth, Kieran Vincent, Kevin Na
3.35pm Yikeun Chang, Sam Brazel, Angelo Que
7.05pm Yeongsu Kim, Jbe Kruger, Douglas Klein
7.45pm Jinichiro Kozuma, Scott Hend, Nitithorn Thippong
8.05pm* Aaron Wilkin, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, Charng-Tai Sudsom
PGA TOUR
Qualifying School (Final stage)
TPC Sawgrass (Valley course), Sawgrass Country Club, Florida
5.02am Brent Grant, David Micheluzzi, Spencer Ralston
5.12am Rhein Gibson, Austin Hitt, Alex Schaake
5.23am Myles Creighton, Harrison Endycott, Hayden Springer
5.23am* Brett Drewitt, SY Noh, Ross Steelman
5.33am* Tano Goya, Tanner Gore, Tom Power Horan
6.05am* Sam Bennett, Charlie Hillier (NZ), Kevin Velo
6.15am Sung Kang, John Lyras, Connor Howe
The third leg of the Gippsland swing of the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series headed to Sale Golf Club, and with wet conditions in the lead up, players were just happy to get out in the relatively clear conditions.
It was the inaugural Sporting Legends Sale Pro-Am at Sale Golf Club, and looks to be a fantastic addition to the Gippsland swing.
Happiest of all were Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia members Matthew Millar and Andrew Kelly who both shot 4-under 66s, to share the victory by two shots over five players tied at 2-under.
Millar, who holed out for eagle from 115m on his first hole, was especially pleased to get another win on his record before he has to take some time off to have back surgery to sort out issues he has been managing for the last few years.
“Yeah no more tournament golf until I’m given the all-clear which will be probably middle of next year,” he said.
“It’ll be good to get some closure on it but the recovery will be a bit of a tough time. Hopefully I can come out of in good shape and then be ready to play in a couple of years.”
HOW THE WINNING SCORE UNFOLDED
Millar started hot with an eagle on the first, with his only dropped shot coming at the final hole.
Accompanying his eagle, birdies came at holes 5, 14, and 15, getting the Canberra pro to 5-under before the dropped shot at the last clipped his wings.
Kelly was also on fire bar one hole. He had six birdies on his day, with a double at the par-4 16th his only blemish.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Matthew Millar: “My round got off to a bit of red-hot start. Blocked a drive over the fairway bunker on the right and it was trapped in behind the tree, chose the right shot, punched it under the tree, executed it really well and it rolled up from 115 metres and went in the hole.
“I missed a handful of putts inside that 10-foot range for sure, but played really solid and didn’t do a lot wrong until 18.
“Really good layout, I’d love to come back and play it in the dry. Amazing after the 200mim they’ve had, they’ve done an amazing job to get it ready to play.
Andrew Kelly: “I played with three young members who are great young fellas, which helped keep me relaxed and I managed to keep bogeys off my card and birdie the easy holes.
“I’ve been playing a lot of golf, and I’ve been playing okay. I think all the golf leading up to this has kept me pretty sharp.
“I’m more of a player than a practiser, so everything I can play in, I’ll play in.
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Matthew Millar 66
T1 Andrew Kelly 66
T3 Konrad Ciupek 68
T3 Cameron Kelly 68
T3 Steven Jones 68
T3 Levi Sclater 68
T3 Caleb Bovalina 68
NEXT UP
The final leg of the Gippsland swing is next with the Traralgon Latrobe City WIN Network Pro-Am Classic at Traralgon Golf Club on December 14-15.
Back in Queensland and making his debut appearance on the PGA Legends Tour, Rod Pampling produced a 4-under-par 66 to win the Noosa Atlas Golf Services Legends Pro-Am.
A winner on the Champions Tour in the United States this year, Pampling has been mixing golf with relaxing at home with family and friends in Brisbane over the past month, including playing in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.
With his driver and short irons working well, the 54-year-old had a two-shot win at Noosa Golf Club, finishing ahead of another Champions Tour regular David McKenzie and fellow Queenslander Richard Backwell.
Stephen Woodhead produced the shot of the day, holing out for a one on the 135m par-3 fifth hole.
PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit leader Andre Stolz had a rare off day, finishing in a tie for 29th at 3-over, while a round of 70 gave Allan Cooper a victory in the super seniors division.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It was a fun day, beautiful weather and I made a few putts here and there,” Pampling said.
“It’s fun to be back out here with a lot of familiar faces.
“I’ve played events here (at this golf course) for a long time but it’s been five years since I’ve been back. Covid shut me down for three years and then I had a sore knee last year but it’s been good to be back.
“Obviously having a win makes it even better.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
-4 (66): Rod Pampling
-2 (68): Richard Backwell, David McKenzie
-1 (69): Martin Peterson, Murray Lott, David Fearns, Euan Walters, Donald Edwards
NEXT UP
The Sunshine Coast is home to the PGA Legends Tour for the next week as the country’s best over-50 professionals contest the annual Sunshine Coast Series with four events through until next Wednesday.
Australian golf icons Ian Baker-Finch and Peter Senior will take part in this week’s Sunshine Coast Series that will serve as the culmination to the 2023 PGA Legends Tour season.
Always a popular stop on the Legends Tour calendar, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will play host to four events, offering a total of $123,000 in prizemoney.
It all starts at Beerwah, the course where Baker-Finch learned the game as a youngster before going on to become a major championship winner, with the $25,000 Beerwah Legends Pro-Am on Wednesday, December 13.
Second up is the $30,000 Sunshine Coast Masters at Twin Waters Resort over two days from Thursday, December 14.
Maroochy River Golf Club will play host to the $30,000 Queensland Senior PGA Championship, also over 36 holes, from December 17-18 with Headland Golf Club to stage the season finale, the $30,000 Australian Legends Tour Championship, from December 20-21.
As well as the Sunshine Coast Series title being on the line, so too will be the overall PGA Legends Order of Merit.
The winner of the past two Order of Merit titles, Andre Stolz, who has banked more than $100,000 in prizemoney in 2023, will have to stave off challenges from Brad Burns, Chris Taylor and Adam Henwood to make it three straight.
The Order of Merit winner receives an invitation to play the KitchenAid US Senior PGA Championship in the US in May, adding even further importance to the Sunshine Coast Series.
“We are really looking forward to these events that cap a very successful season of nearly 80 events across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea,” said Andy Rogers, PGA Legends Tour tournament coordinator.
“We have great fields with notable players such as Peter Senior, Peter Lonard, Andre Stolz and Ian Baker-Finch all entering to play.
“Sunshine Coast Council have come on board to help promote the events and, in turn, the region.
“And with a $3000 bonus fund across the four events, competition will be intense.”
Economy Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said Council was pleased to support the PGA Legends Tour and welcome the professionals to the Sunshine Coast.
“It is great to see the tour move across four of our golf venues – Beerwah, Twin Waters, Maroochy River and Headland Golf Club,” Cr O’Pray said.
“For players and spectators alike, the Sunshine Coast’s natural assets and attractions are all in-stone’s throw from these venues. From Australia Zoo to the coastal pathway along our beaches and rivers we hope everyone makes the most of the coast.”
The PGA Legends Tour is renowned for the camaraderie of the events and the relaxed environment in which they are played.
At each of the four events, professionals will play alongside amateurs and sponsors.
Spectators are welcome to come along and watch with no charge for entry.
It featured more twists and turns than a Gold Coast rollercoaster before the Maffra Community Sports Club Pro-Am finished in a four-way tie at Maffra Golf Club.
Wet weather again impacted the Gippsland swing of the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series but four players dealt with it best.
Matt Dowling, Finlay Bellingham, Brock Gillard and Ben Paine all posted 4-under 68 to share the victory, all four doing so in a variety of different ways.
It was a breakthrough win to remember, in particular, for Dowling, who turned pro back in 2011.
“Very bizarre. Not how I pictured it,” said Dowling.
“Camping by the first tee in Gippsland, got my first win that way after being a pro for a few years and not even being close.”
It was a timely win too for Paine, who had been struggling for confidence in recent weeks.
“It’s good to be back playing some decent golf when I was pretty close to quitting three weeks ago,” Paine admitted.
HOW THE WINNING ROUNDS UNFOLDED
Two in the morning, two in the afternoon and none better than a 68.
Bellingham and Paine were out in the morning wave and had contrasting ends to their round, Bellingham making birdie on 18 while Paine made bogey at each of his final two holes, including a three-putt at the last.
Gillard began his round with a birdie and finished it in the same manner while Dowling was left to thank the stars he slept under the night before for a stroke of good fortune.
Playing the par-4 ninth, Dowling caught such a flyer with his second shot that it hit the Maffra Golf Club clubhouse, which is considered out of bounds.
Thankfully for Dowling, his ball bounced back in bounds into a garden bed from which he was entitled to a free drop.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
Matt Dowling: “I woke up and I was floating. Definitely an interesting night. Massive thunderstorm rolled through at about 4am. Woke up dry, but not ideal.
“I hit it pretty good but got very, very lucky on the ninth hole. I got a bit of a flyer and got a nice break off the clubhouse into a garden bed and made an up-and-down for a four. That calmed me down quite a lot actually because I was getting a bit frustrated but that helped me to keep the mind quiet the rest of the day.”
Brock Gillard: “Definitely had the driver going today, which is probably the difference from my rounds lately. Got the ball in play and the putter was pretty rock solid today too.
“I changed coaches back in May and while there’s been a lot of good stuff it hasn’t shown up on the scorecard but things are moving in the right direction.
Finlay Bellingham: “I birdied the first two par 5s. I was hitting the driver pretty poor – didn’t hit many fairways – but scrapped it around. Holed a few putts and hit my irons really well.
“I made a poor double-bogey followed by a three-putt bogey but brought it home well. Hit a good shot on 16, the par 3, and finished with a birdie on 18.”
Ben Paine: “Coming off yesterday where I bogeyed my last four to have 1-under I was pretty keen to have a good round.
“I played the par 5s pretty well and hit a few close wedge shots coming in.
“Unfortunately I bogeyed my last two again and three-putted the last but all up it was a pretty solid day.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Finlay Bellingham 68
T1 Ben Paine 68
T1 Brock Gillard 68
T1 Matt Dowling 68
5 Adam McLean 69
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series breaks new ground on Tuesday with the inaugural Sporting Legends Sale Pro-Am at Sale Golf Club.
Even-par 68 proved to be good enough as Chris Hollingsworth, Craig Goodall and Martin Peterson finished tied at the top at the inaugural Ashgrove Legends Pro-Am at Ashgrove Golf Course in Brisbane.
One of a number of new stops on the PGA Legends Tour circuit in 2023, the twisting, exacting Ashgrove layout proved to be a worthy test.
Hollingsworth set the mark of 68 in the morning field, Goodall and Peterson mastering the windier conditions best in the afternoon to match it.
Although slightly resentful of the early alarm, Hollingsworth conceded that the morning tee time was probably the pick of the draw.
“It was perfect. It was about 30 degrees when we teed off at 7:15am,” said Hollingsworth.
“Probably not feeling so sorry for them given that I got up at 4am but we probably got the best of the day.”
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
Starting from the par-3 17th, Hollingsworth needed a birdie on his final hole – the par-4 16th – to post even par in the clubhouse.
Opening his round with a birdie at the par-4 11th, Goodall was 2-under through eight holes before dropping shots at both one and two.
Back-to-back birdies at eight and nine got him back to 2-under par but bogeys at both eight and nine once again dropped him back to level par.
Like Hollingsworth, Peterson began his round at the par-3 17th, a birdie the ideal way to start his round.
With the exception of a bogey on one it was pars until Peterson reached the 10th, trading three birdies with three bogeys over his final seven holes to finish level with Hollingsworth and Goodall.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It’s quite amazing, the golf course. It’s one of the very few courses we get to play that exercises all of our shot-making,” said Hollingsworth.
“There are very few standard, flat lies, a lot of thought processes need to happen off the tee to make sure you put your tee shot in the right spot and then, of course, have a chance to do what you can for pars and birdies on the greens.
“I’m new to the course but very pleasantly surprised.
“Bit of a hidden gem and already looking forward to next year.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Chris Hollingsworth 68
T1 Craig Goodall 68
T1 Martin Peterson 68
T4 Stephen Woodhead 69
T4 Peter Jones 69
NEXT UP
The 2023 PGA Legends Tour season comes to a close with the Sunshine Coast Swing, starting with the Noosa Atlas Golf Services Legends Pro-Am at Noosa Golf Course on Tuesday.
Early birdies proved to be crucial as Lucas Higgins and Andrew Kelly defied heavy rain to share victory at the Gippsland BMW Warragul Country Club Pro-Am.
Host to the Gippsland Super 6 tournament last month, Warragul Country Club was again in outstanding condition, albeit affected by a deluge that fell over the course of the day.
The wet weather had little affect on both Higgins and Kelly, who each shot rounds of 7-under 64 to finish three shots clear of Victorian Peter Wilson.
Tied for 22nd at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, Kelly was thrilled to turn strong recent form into another victory on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.
“I was hoping to do well because I’ve been playing OK so very satisfying,” said Kelly.
“This is a big pro-am. I’ve played it every year since it’s been back, it’s a good purse and a great day so I was very satisfied.”
The win was Higgins’ ninth in the past two years and his first since the Bowen Pro-Am in June.
“I’ve had quite a few pro-am wins now so I’ve got experience when I get up near the top of the leaderboard,” said Higgins.
“Each win is special in its own right so it’s nice to notch up another one and try and keep it rolling into the next week of pro-ams.”
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
Both Higgins and Kelly credited their scores to their strong start in challenging conditions.
After starting his round with a birdie at the par-4 ninth, Higgins followed it up with birdies on 11 and 12 to make an early impression on the leaderboard.
Also playing in the afternoon field and starting on the back nine, Kelly was 2-under through his first seven holes.
He rocketed into contention with three birdies on the trot from the sixth hole – his 15th – to match Higgins’ score of 7-under.
Wilson responded to a bogey at his opening hole – the par-4 13th – with a birdie on 14 and secured outright third ahead of a group of five players at 3-under with a final birdie on 12 and a round of 4-under 67.
WHAT THE WINNERS SAID
“It feels good to be back in the winner’s circle, played really well,” said Higgins.
“We were both a few clear so it just goes to show that our score out there today was really good.
“It was raining the whole day but there wasn’t too much wind, which was nice. It was just tough to keep everything dry.
“I was lucky enough to get off to a good start. Stumbled a little through the middle of the round but managed to get the putts to go in again and finished it off well.”
“The course was in great nick but obviously lots of rain. I’m not sure I’ve played in rain like that for quite a while,” Kelly added.
“I got off to a good start and so I could ignore the rain a little bit and not let it stress me out.
“That was the main thing, being able to feel comfortable in the rain.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
T1 Lucas Higgins 64
T1 Andrew Kelly 64
3 Peter Wilson 67
T4 Matt Dowling 68
T4 Cameron Kelly 68
T4 Alex Edge 68
T4 Gavin Fairfax 68
T4 Dillon Hart 68
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series continues its run in regional Victoria with the Sporting Legends Sale Pro-Am at Sale Golf Club on Tuesday, a new event on the schedule in 2023.
Jason Day has iced his season of resurgence in the United States with a victory alongside Lydia Ko in the Grant Thornton Invitational pairs event.
They shot 26-under par over three rounds to win the alternative format event by a shot from Canadians Brooke Henderson and Corey Connors at 25-under.
They will share the $US1 million first prize in the inaugural event sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour.
Day and Ko began the final round of four-ball at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida with the lead but they were joined at the top by Henderson and Connors late in the day.
Ko’s stunning three wood second shot close to the flag at the par-5 17th, setting up birdie, was the moment when the ANZAC duo reached the outright lead again, and they only needed Ko’s steady par at the last to complete the win.
“It was weird, because it felt like the most stress-free win because I knew that she (Ko) was going to step up in the end, which was fantastic” said Day afterward. “It was a fun week, having the two tours join this week was a fun way to finish the year and I’m hoping we can do it for a very long time.”
Day is now the top-ranked Australian in the male world rankings at No. 19, and potentially in the slot to earn a berth at the Paris Olympic Games.
His season was highlighted by a win in the Byron Nelson tournament in May.
PHOTO: Day and Ko celebrate today. Image: Getty
Led by medallist Cameron Percy, Australians have snared four of the five fully-exempt cards for the PGA TOUR Champions in 2024 at Final Stage of Qualifying School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
A two-stroke leader overnight, Percy took medallist honours by five strokes with a closing round of 4-under 67 for a four-round total of 20-under par.
Percy will have to wait until he turns 50 on May 5 to join the circuit at which point three other Q School graduates from Australia will have joined the tour.
Medallist at First Stage a week ago, Queenslander Michael Wright shot 66 in the final round to finish outright second to Percy, Steve Allan’s even-par 71 was enough to earn a share of third while David Bransdon’s 4-under 67 saw him edge Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and American Wes Short for the fifth and final card.
Runner-up at First Stage last month, Percy was all set to skip Final Stage of Champions Tour Q School in favour of a return to PGA TOUR Q School.
At the urging of other players with whom he holds in high regard, Percy experienced a change of heart before this week got underway.
“I wasn’t going to come (here); I was exhausted,” Percy said.
“I was actually going to get ready for the PGA TOUR’s Q-School next week. I was told to go to Q-School here and get my card. It’s so much better than having to Monday qualify. So, I did… and it has all paid off.”
Medalist by FIVE strokes at Q-School's Final Stage.
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) December 9, 2023
That any good?
Once he turns 50 in May, @cameronpercy1 could be a force on the Champions Tour. https://t.co/xZN9ORImjF
Percy’s career-best finish on the PGA TOUR (220 total starts) was a playoff loss at the 2010 Shriners Children’s Open.
Of 12 total top-10 finishes on TOUR, three came in the 2021-22 campaign, his career-most for a single-season.
Following his 8-under 63 in Round 3, Wright stood on the tee box of the 72nd hole on Friday 4-under and 14-under overall. Seemingly, he was a lock for a top-5 spot.
“I hit what was my worst drive all week at No.18, down into the desert,” Wright said.
“I had a terrible lie on the rocks, leaving me with no option but to try and hack a 5-iron. It went, maybe, 30 yards, but stayed on the dirt on the desert.”
But then, from 122 yards, Wright was right on target, holing his third shot for a highly unlikely birdie to cap off a round of 5-under 66. As such, the 49-year-old secured solo-second at 15-under 269.
Wright looks to join full-time once he hits turns 50 on February 21, 2024.
Less than two months after turning 50, Allan followed rounds of 68-66-65 with a final-round even-par 71 to lock up the No. 4 spot among the top-5 who received fully exempt status.
Yet to make a start on PGA TOUR Champions, Allan brings with him a solid past which spans a variety of Tours worldwide.
In addition to two international titles, including the 2002 Australian Open on home turf, Allan’s best of nine PGA TOUR top-10 finishes, both runner-up showings, came in 2003 and 2004. In 164 Korn Ferry Tour starts from 2003-17, Allan’s best finish, a T2, came in 2015 in Colombia.
Allan made his way to Final Stage this week by virtue of a T13 finish in First Stage at Soboba Springs.
Like Allan, Bransdon turned 50 in October and has already tasted success on the PGA Legends Tour.
Bransdon posted scores of 69-70-65-67 to claim the fifth spot at 13-under 271.
The top-5 finishers (no ties) become fully exempt into all open, full-field events for PGA TOUR Champions in the 2024 season.
In addition, Nos. 6-30 are eligible to apply for PGA TOUR Champions Associate Membership for the 2024 season, affording them the opportunity to enter 2024 PGA TOUR Champions weekly event qualifiers.
That is the category that Greg Chalmers and David McKenzie find themselves in after finishing tied for eighth and tied for 12th respectively at Final Stage.
Cameron Percy
Birthdate: May 5, 1974 (49)
Hometown: Chelsea, Australia
PGA TOUR starts: 220
Best finish: P2, 2010 Shriners Children’s Open
PGA TOUR Champions starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
Michael Wright
Birthdate: February 21, 1974 (50)
Hometown: Gympie, Queensland, Australia
PGA TOUR starts: 2
Best finish: MC in both
PGA TOUR Champions starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
Steve Allan
Birthdate: October 18, 1973 (50)
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
PGA TOUR starts: 214
Best finish: P2, 2004 Barracuda Championship
PGA TOUR Champions starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
David Bransdon
Birthdate: October 28, 1973
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
PGA TOUR starts: 2
Best finish: MC in both
PGA TOUR Champions starts: 0
Best finish: N/A
Photo: Courtesy Cameron Percy
Victorian Euan Walters reignited his love affair with the Queensland greens to edge a stellar field and take out the two-day $40,000 Gold Coast Senior PGA Championship at Lakelands Golf Club.
Seven players were tied at the top after Round 1 but it was a late charge from Walters that would prove the difference.
After starting from the daunting par-4 10th on Friday, Walters made birdie at four of his final six holes for a round of 6-under 66 and a one-stroke win from American Richard Gilkey (69).
Order of Merit leader Andre Stolz (68), Scott Laycock (70), Scott Barr (68) and Peter Lonard (69) all finished in a tie for third at 5-under par as the PGA Legends Tour builds towards its season conclusion.
Although he grew up playing on the Melbourne Sandbelt, Walters said he has developed a liking for the putting surfaces of south-east Queensland.
“My first year out on tour I really struggled, being a member of a Sandbelt course,” admitted Walters, pictured with tournament sponsor Greg Rix.
“I learnt to get over it and I actually think that Queensland greens are the best in the country, consistently from the start of the day until the end. I think that’s what makes them great.
“They’re very true, they roll very smooth, it’s just getting used to reading the grain.
“Other than that, I really love them so I putt well on Queensland greens.”
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
A par on 10 was a solid start on day two, Walters following it up with back-to-back birdies at the par-5 11th and the par-4 12th.
Four pars preceded a dropped shot at the par-3 17th, which would be his only bogey of the day.
He birdied the par-4 first but it was a run of four birdies from the par-4 fourth and culminating with the crucial birdie on nine that would get him across the line.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“I hit it pretty close a lot of the time and wedged it well.
“Drove the ball pretty good today – bit better than yesterday – and managed to seal the deal on most of the putts.
“The course was fantastic out there. If you played well you got rewarded, which I was very fortunate to do.
“It’s been a rough year for me, I’ve been struggling with a lot of injuries and stuff like that.
“But a lot of people are helping me so I’m just grateful to be able to hit it actually.
“I’ve had some pretty bad scores over the last month just trying to work through it so I’m very grateful for how it worked out today.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 Euan Walters 71-66—137
2 Richard Gilkey 69-69—138
T3 Scott Barr 71-68—139
T3 Scott Laycock 69-70—139
T3 Peter Lonard 70-69—139
T3 Andre Stolz 71-68—139
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Tour stays on the Gold Coast on Monday for the $45,000 Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club Legends Pro-Am hosted by Adam Scott and Peter Senior.
