Taylor Cooper has fired 3-under 69 to come
from behind and win the 2015 Bundaberg Motor Group QLD PGA Trainee Championship.

After finishing second behind Deyen Lawson in
2014, the tide turned this year when Cooper birdied two of the last four holes
to claim the title.

Heading into the final round three shots
clear, Lawson had as much as a five shot lead throughout the final round before
a double bogey on the 13^th hole saw his lead start to dimish.

Further mistakes for Lawson at the 14^th
and 16^th opened the door to Cooper and when the Trainee Professional
from Manly made a birdie on the 17^th hole, he had hit the lead.

Cooper hit his approach over the back of the
green on the 18^th hole, only to hole a 15 foot putt for par to shoot
69 and post a score of 1-under par for the tournament.

This left the stage clear for Lawson who,
after hitting his second shot on the par 4 18^th to 12 feet, with a
birdie opportunity to send the tournament to a playoff.

It wasn’t to be though with the putt narrowly
sliding by and Cooper successfully avenging his 2014 runner-up finish.

"Deyen and I have played together six or
seven times in the final rounds of tournaments over the past three years and
the rivalry has certainly pushed us both to be better players," said Cooper.

"The golf course this week played so
different each day with the wind switching around, full credit to the ground
staff here at Coral Cove. They have a gem of a golf course and the members
should be privileged that they get to play it week in and week out."

The win is a big confidence boost for Cooper
who is set to tee it up in the PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour
co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship in December courtesy of winning PGA
National Futures Championship last year.

"This win means a lot to me personally. I
have only just got married a few weeks ago and with a big end of the year
coming up including an invitation into the Australian PGA Championship, I am
looking forward to grabbing the opportunity with both hands," added Cooper.

For Lawson it was again a case of close but
not close enough, when it comes to defending a title after he finished third at
the NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Championship just a few weeks ago.

"There is little doubt as to what I came to
achieve this week and that was a win, but full credit to Taylor, his ability to
hit the shot when he needed down the stretch today was very impressive," said
Lawson.

Rounding out the podium finishes was
Caboolture Trainee and last year’s QLD PGA Trainee of the Year Rick Coleman, his
final round 1-under 71 saw him finish at 5-over the card.

Tying Cooper for low round of the day was
Elanora Country Club Trainee Campbell Quirk who moved up nine places today
following his round of 3-under 69, finishing in a tie for fourth.

The QLD PGA Trainees now set their sights on
their next event at Carbrook Golf Club on the 14^th September as
preparations kick in for the PGA National Futures Championship at Ballarat Golf
Club in October.

Related Links:

Scores / Bundaberg Motor Group QLD PGA Championship