Rookie PGA Trainee Professional Connor Chant has captured the biggest win of his career and first state title with a closing round of 3-under-par 69 to win the 2017 Drakes Supermarkets South Australian PGA Trainee Championships.

Being played for the first time in nearly a decade, the championship played at the Greg Norman Designed Copper Club at Port Hughes saw several interstate Trainees joining the South Australian’s who proved a stern test, none more so than the 21-year-old British born Chant.

Chant overcame a five-stroke deficit in the final round to catch overnight leaders Sam De Sira from Grange Golf Club in South Australia and Ben Murphy from Portsea Golf Club in Victoria who were both at (+1) heading into the final round.

Murphy could only manage a 2-over-par 74 in difficult conditions while De Sira stumbled with a bad break on the 6^th hole when a lost ball ended his championship hopes.

Chant’s 54 hole total of 218 (+2) was capped off with three birdies in his final five holes and included a clutch 15-ft birdie but on his final hole to take the title by one shot over Murphy.

Chant is a first-year Trainee developing his skills under PGA Member Ben Traeger at Mt Barker-Hahndorf Golf Club in the Adelaide Hills.

“It’s a great feeling to win our State Championship,” said Chant who has been a dominant force in his first year in the program.

“I have really enjoyed my first year and working for Ben and having a great environment at Mt Barker-Hahndorf has been a huge help.

“I love the golf course here at Copper Club and feel it suits my game,” added Chant who will look to continue his good form in a few weeks at The National Futures Championship in Ballarat.

Fellow South Australian rookie Trainee Samuel Masters from Regency Park Golf Club in Adelaide rounded out the top three with a closing round of 2-under-par 70 finishing six-shots behind Chant.

Port Hughes is located just two hours North of the Adelaide CBD and is nestled into the Spencer Gulf on a beautiful piece of land which Norman designed more than a decade ago and remains one of South Australia’s great hidden gems.

The local CopperCoast Council has continued to provide wonderful support for the game of golf and PGA tournaments which includes the acclaimed CopperCoast Classic Pro-Am held each year as part of the Ladbrokes PGA Pro-Am Series.

Up next for Chant and PGA Trainees from around Australia will be the season ending Futures Championship in Ballarat with $60,000 prize-money on offer.