South Australian Chris Duke has won
the 2016 PGA Professionals Championship at Hamilton Island Golf Club qualifying
alongside runner-up Mathew Docking for the Australian PGA Championship in
December.

Starting the
day one shot behind overnight leader Darren Garrett, Duke birdied seven of his
first 10 holes in the final round opening up a healthy lead.

Defending
champion Matt Docking couldn’t put enough pressure on Duke over the back-9 and
when Vernon Sexton-Finck who was playing with Duke, made bogeys on the 15^th,
16^th and 17^th holes, the tournament was a one-horse race.

Even a bogey
on the tough 18^th hole wasn’t enough to put a dampener on the
celebrations with Duke carding a 4-under 67 for a tournament total of 8-under the
card. Duke was clearly excited about playing the PGA’s flagship event in
December.

"Before this
week, the most prizemoney I have ever played for was $50,000 so to think in a
few weeks time I am going to be playing against Adam Scott for $1.5 million is
amazing," said Duke.

Having moved
to South Australia seven years ago, Duke completed his PGA Traineeship at
Blackwood Golf Club and is now the Store Manager of the House of Golf ‘Mile
End’. Having never been in a position to win a national championship before,
Duke was pleased with the way he handled himself during the final round.

"I actually
played really well all week but burnt the edge of the hole for the first two
days without making too many putts. Today I gave myself plenty of good
opportunities and lucky for me I was able to capitalise through the first 10
holes," added Duke.

"It is hard
to put into words what this win means. The whole of South Australia has done it
pretty tough through the winter especially with the recent rain so hopefully
this win can put a smile on a few faces."

Duke’s 8-under
par total is the lowest in the tournament’s history since its move to Hamilton
Island five years ago and for two-time defending champion Matt Docking, it was
a case of close, but not close enough.

"I had modest
expectations heading into this week. From the moment I stepped back onto the golf
course I had a lot of great memories come back, so I felt pretty comfortable,"
said Docking.

"Although I
didn’t get the three-peat done, I am over the moon to have the opportunity to
play RACV Royal Pines Resort again and hopefully I can do better than my last
couple of attempts."

With two
female PGA Professionals qualifying for this year’s tournament, Jade Fisher was
successful in gaining a position in the Oates Women’s Vic Open to be staged in
February 2017 as leading female at Hamilton Island. For the Jindalee Golf Club
Assistant Professional it has been an experience to remember.

"This has
been a truly memorable week. I have been sending my family all of the photos I
have taken this week and I think I have made them very jealous. To come away
with another opportunity to play on an even bigger stage, is really exciting,"
said Fisher.

The Vicar
Shield is the State versus State competition within the PGA Professionals
Championship and despite a mixture of results in the final round, the team of
New South Wales comprising of Matt Docking and Josh Ingram have taken out this
year’s title by just one shot from the West Australian defending ChampionsVernon
Sexton Fink and Gavin Reed..

For all of the details for the PGA Professionals
Championship including scores and draws, click here