Stephen Dartnall has broken through to win his maiden PGA
Tour of Australasia title at the TX Civil and Logistics WA PGA Championship.
Stephen Dartnall has broken through to win his maiden PGA
Tour of Australasia title at the TX Civil and Logistics WA PGA Championship.
Starting the day five shots off the lead, Dartnall fired an
impressive 6-under 66 to win the title with a tournament total 16-under 272.
It was a hard earned win for Dartnall with plenty of
challengers contending throughout the final round, but a birdie on the final
hole ensured he won by a shot over Aaron Pike and Lindsay Wilson.
"I didn’t really know where I was on the leaderboard until
the last hole," said Dartnall.
"I didn’t know what they did on 17, I didn’t know Aaron
(Pike) three putted and that I had a two shot lead."
"I hit a really good drive and then a 3 iron into the last
hole to about 10 feet. I just missed the eagle putt but I am pretty proud to
have finished off like this."
32-year-old Dartnall was ecstatic to finally notch up his
first Tour victory after coming close many times since turning Professional in
2008.
"I am stoked; I played really well with not too many
mistakes. It got a bit windy towards the end but it’s great to finally have
pulled one off," added Dartnall.
"I have had a lot of good chances in the past but never
really capitalised. It’s good to finally get the monkey off my back and go into
future tournaments knowing that I have won before."
Dartnall becomes the second West Australian in as many years
to win the TX Civil and Logistics WA PGA Championship after Brett Rumford won
last year.
"It’s very special. To win a four day State PGA, especially
in my home state really caps off a special week."
Tour rookie Lindsay Wilson fired a 2-under 70 in the final
round to finish runner-up with third round leader Aaron Pike who had an
even-par day.
Finishing outright 4th on 12-under the card was
Callan O’Reilly who was on fire early in the day recording 29 on the front-9
before ending his day with a 2-under 70.
A shot further back and rounding out the top-5 was Victorian, Deyen Lawson.
For his win Dartnall picks up AU$18,000 and moves to 15th on
the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.