Not since 2019 at Concord and Pymble had Fearns found himself in the winner’s circle but a hot start provided the foundation to a round of 4-under 67, two clear of Euan Walters (69) and Peter Lonard (69).

Starting his round with pars at 17 and 18, Fearns caught fire with three straight birdies from the par-4 first and then countered a bogey on six with a birdie on eight.

Further birdies at 14 and 15 built enough of a buffer that a closing bogey was little more than a blip.

Quick quotes

“I’m really happy every time we come to Portsea,” said Fearns.

“It’s difficult, so it’s nice to play well at Portsea.

“The fairways were actually pretty fast. There was lots of run out there.

“The greens were beautiful; it was nice.”

Leading scores
1          David Fearns                67
T2        Euan Walters                69
T2        Peter Lonard                69
T4        Terry Pilkadaris             70
T4        Tim Elliott                     70

March 4

Lane back on track at Settlers Run

Nigel Lane shrugged off some indifferent form and a shaky start to take out the Settlers Run Legends Pro-Am at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club.

Starting from the third tee, Lane made a bright start with a birdie at the par-4 fourth but dropped back to 1-over with consecutive bogeys at five and six.

It would be just a temporary setback though as he responded with birdies at seven and nine on his way to a round of 5-under 67 and a two-stroke victory.

On the back of his win at Settlers Run the day prior Scott Barr backed up with a round of 3-under 69 to finish second, one clear of Carl Smedley.

Quick quotes

“That was about two feet away,” Lane said of his shot into 18 to set up birdie.

“That was really nice. From the left side of the fairway, maybe just a little bit in the rough. That was probably actually the shot of the day.

“Struck the ball really nicely today actually, which is a bit different to recently. The last few days I couldn’t hit it hard at all, but today I found something and it went straight at it most of the time.”

Leading scores
1          Nigel Lane                    67
2          Scott Barr                     69
3          Carl Smedley               70
T4        Gavin Coyle                  71
T4        Derrin Morgan             71
T4        John Onions                71
T4        Murray Lott                  71

March 3

Barr triumphs ahead of US campaign

A timely win on home soil will fuel Scott Barr to attack opportunities on offer through the PGA TOUR Champions in the US.

Denied a full 2025 card in heartbreaking circumstances at Q School in December, Barr will tee it up in Monday qualifiers on the back of a one-stroke win at the Southern Golf Club Legends Pro-Am.

A four-time winner on the PGA Legends Tour in 2024, Barr found something in his swing and navigated Southern Golf Club’s immaculate putting surfaces to finish one clear of Grahame Stinson (69) with Simon Pope (70) outright third.

Barr will soon head to the US, aware that trying to play his way into tournaments will come with its challenges.

“It’s a pretty brutal way to do it, so I am aware of that,” said Barr.

“There could be some mental damage going through that so I’m really trying to strategise how I don’t throw all my eggs in one basket.

“I’ll just do it at a pace that I feel confident with.”

Quick quotes

“I got off to a hot start, birdied the first three, so I was in the race from the word go,” said Barr.

“I did a bit of work on the range yesterday and figured something out with my swing, which had been coming for a while.

“I felt in control of the ball most of the day with my hitting; I hit it very well actually. And these greens were saucy. They were fast; super-fast.
“You had to keep your nerve. I holed a couple of mid-range eight-footers but I did blunder a few times, which let the field in down the stretch.

“I was watching the leaderboard coming in, which is a habit that I’m going to start to do. I think I need to do that just to know where you are in the field so you can finish off rounds better.”

Leading scores
1          Scott Barr                     68
2          Grahame Stinson         69
3          Simon Pope                 70
T4        David Diaz                   71
T4        Terry Pilkadaris             71
T4        Mark Boulton               71
T4        David McKenzie           71
T4        Derrin Morgan             71
T4        Stuart Beament            71

March 1

Hobbled Isherwood victorious at The Valley

His tortured feet almost failed him but Michael Isherwood was able to snare his first Legends Tour win in close to a year at The Valley Legends Pro-Am on the Mornington Peninsula.

The new shoes that Isherwood wore on Tuesday did enough damage to consider not playing at all but the use of a cart enabled the 53-year-old to shoot 5-under 62 for a one-stroke win.

Teeing off from the 14th hole alongside Scott Ford, Isherwood was 4-under through seven holes courtesy of birdies at 15, 16, 18 and two.

Eagle at the par-4 eighth countered bogeys at five and nine, birdies at 10 and 11 enough to build a winning advantage ahead of the in-form Terry Pilkadaris (63) with West Australian Brendan Chant (64) outright third.

Quick quotes

“Being not a very smart individual, I managed to wear a brand new pair of shoes on Tuesday and completely destroyed my heel,” said Isherwood.

“And when you get old man skin, you’ll realise you rip your whole foot off. Unless I got put in a cart today, I don’t think I would’ve even made it around.

“Pretty happy that I managed to grab a win out of it considering I didn’t even think I’d be able to walk around.”

Leading scores
1          Michael Isherwood      62
2          Terry Pilkadaris             63
3          Brendan Chant             64
T4        Mark Boulton               66
T4        Scott Barr                     66
T4        Lucien Tinkler               66
T4        Terry Price                    66

February 26

Pilkadaris tops again at Portarlington

Stars were out in force yet Terry Pilkadaris proved again why he is the hottest player on the PGA Legends Tour with a one-stroke win at the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am.

Portarlington Golf Club is always a popular stop on the Legends Tour calendar with the likes of Peter Lonard and PGA TOUR Champions players Richard Green and David McKenzie thrilling Portarlington members with their presence.

McKenzie is now one of them, made an honorary member after making an almost mythical ace on a par-4 for albatross, just carrying the front bunker and scurrying up the green before hitting the pin and dropping for his first career albatross at the 241-metre 13th.

“I’ve never had a ‘3-under’ one before, I’ll take that every time!” beamed McKenzie, who owns eight career hole-in-ones.

“What a day – I’m loving it!”

Conversely, Pilkadaris compiled a round of 5-under 67 with six birdies and a lone bogey to finish one clear of Lonard (68) with Green sharing third with Tim Elliott at 3-under 69.

Quick quotes

“It was a good day. Great weather, course was in really good condition,” said Pilkadaris.

“If you hit the ball in the right position, you’d capitalise. And that’s what I did.

“I capitalised on the par 5s coming in, managed to make birdies on those and consolidate the score.

“I’ve been doing some work with a putting specialist in the US, Geoff Mangum. I’m bringing him out – he arrives on Thursday – and he’s going to help me with my putting and also do some clinics and lessons for anyone.

“I think I had the yips and he’s starting to fix that. Now I’m starting to hole some putts and it’s going along nicely.”

Leading scores
1          Terry Pilkadaris             67
2          Peter Lonard                68
T3        Tim Elliott                     69
T3        Richard Green              69
T5        Chris Hynes                  71
T5        Shane Johnson            71
T5        Peter Woodward          71
T5        Tony Page                    71

February 25

McKenzie makes rarest of birds

He’s done a lot of things in golf, David McKenzie, but never an albatross.

That was until today at Portarlington when the Victorian drilled a driver 241 metres for the almost mythical ace on a par-4 during the Sheen Panel Service Legends Pro-Am on the PGA Legends Tour.

McKenzie’s drive just carried the front bunker and scurried up the green before hitting the pin and dropping for his first career albatross.

But from the tee, with the bunker obscuring his view, the 57-year-old thought it had landed in the sand when a puff of sand arose as his ball landed.

It wasn’t until the crowd erupted as he approached the green – and he was urged to do a “shooey” in celebration – that he realised the magic that had unfolded.

“There’s no way I’m doing a shooey,” McKenzie said as he guzzled a drink in a far more customary manner to celebrate.

“That’s unbelievable … and turns a terrible day into a much better one.

“I hit a driver because I was a bit cranky so that’s why I wasn’t hitting 3-wood, but I was sure it went into the bunker.

“I saw sand come up and (thought nothing of it). That’s crazy.”

McKenzie, the reigning NSW Senior Open champion, estimated that it was his eighth hole-in-one.

“But I’ve never had a ‘3-under, one before, I‘ll take that every time!” he beamed.

“What a day – I’m loving it!”

McKenzie tipped a casual five points into his team’s stableford balance and also won 20 points for the bullseye-style competition on offer for the second shot on that hole in one of the events separate competitions.

He was later presented with an honorary Portarlington Golf Club membership for his history-making shot.

Leading scores
1 Terry Pilkadaris
-5 67

2
AUS NSW Peter Lonard
-4 68

T3
AUS VIC Tim Elliott
-3 69

T3
AUS VIC Richard Green
-3 69

T5
AUS VIC Christopher Hynes
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Shane Johnson
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Peter Woodward
-1 71

T5
AUS VIC Tony Page
-1 71

Legends Tour: Pilkadaris masterful at Moama

He spends much of his time coaching these days but some tips from American ‘putting theorist’ Geoff Mangum propelled Terry Pilkadaris to a commanding win at the Moama Masters Rich River.

A second eagle on his round at the final hole saw Pilkadaris earn a share of the Round 1 lead with fellow Victorian Shane Johnson at 7-under 65 at Rich River Golf Club.

They had a two-stroke buffer but it was Pilkadaris who kept the foot to the floor, backing it up with a 6-under 66 for a 13-under total and six-stroke win.

Reigning PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz finished outright second at 7-under par with 66-year-old Michael Harwood winding back the clock to snare third.

Quick quotes

“I’ve been doing some work online with an American guy, Geoff Mangum. I’m actually bringing him out next week and we’ve just been working hard on holing putts. I haven’t been holing any putts for the last four or five years, so finally holed some putts, which was nice.

“Hit some good iron shots and drove it well and all adds up to a good score.

“I was a bit nervous because the scores weren’t getting updated and I saw Andre (Stolz) was playing nicely.

“The scores hadn’t updated and he was on the 13th hole. I’m trying to work out what I am and what have you but I hit some nice shots coming in and capitalised.”

Leading scores
1          Terry Pilkadaris             65-66—131
2          Andre Stolz                  69-68—137
3          Michael Harwood        69-69—138
T4        David McKenzie           70-69—139
T4        Shane Johnson            65-74—139

February 19

Burns, Taylor claim Vic Foursomes again

Queensland pair Brad Burns and Chris Taylor have teamed up for a second win in three years at the ‘The Jack Harris & Brian Twite’ Victorian PGA Seniors Foursomes Championship.

Played at Rich River Golf Club’s East Course ahead of the $30,000 Moama Masters, Burns and Taylor bounced back from a shaky start to post 4-under 68 for a four-stroke win.

The winners in 2023 and tied for fourth 12 months ago, the Queenslanders rode Taylor’s hot putter over their final nine holes for a comfortable win ahead of Andre Stolz and David Crawford.

Quick quotes

“We started off fairly unsteady,” conceded Burns.

“We three-putted the first hole so we were 1-over after the first nine holes.

“Chris hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in and then the last nine we holed a few putts and shot 5-under.

“Chris is a great ball-striker and when he gets that putter hot, he’s away.

“We just gel on the golf course and it’s a pleasure to play with him all the time.”

Leading scores
1          Brad Burns/Chris Taylor            68
T2        Andre Stolz/David Crawford    72
T3        Brendan Chant/Simon Pope     73
T3        Terry Pilkadaris/Neale Smith     73
T3        David McKenzie/Wayne Rogers            73
T3        Chris Hynes/Carl Smedley        73

February 18

Guy’s walk in the Park

A birdie-birdie finish has clinched Guy Wall a second win on the PGA Legends Tour season at The White Glove Mover Legends Pro-Am at Albert Park Golf Course in Melbourne.

Victorious at the Waihi Legends Pro-Am on the New Zealand swing, Wall shot 5-under 65 at Albert Park to edge Peter Brown (66) with tournament host David Diaz tied for third along with Andre Stolz, Peter Woodward and Simon Pope at 3-under par.

Wall credited his work on the putting green with coach John Serhan and time spent using Keiser gym equipment in the off-season for his strong start to the year.

“I’m a Keiser convert,” said Wall.

“If you’re looking after the body, looking after the swing, looking after the putting, it’s got to work.”

Starting his round with a par at the par-5 11th, Wall advanced up the leaderboard with birdies at 12, 14 and 16.

An errant tee shot led to a lone bogey at the par-4 fifth but he responded with a birdie on six and then two closing birdies at nine and 10 to finish one-stroke clear.

Quick quotes

“I’ve been working hard on the putter in our off-season,” said Wall.

“Changed putters to an even roll and putted awesome. I think I had 26 putts for the day.

“We were talking coming down the last couple with David Hill and he said, are you a scoreboard watcher? And I said, no, I’m just going to try and hit the best shots possible over the last couple of holes and see what happens.

“As it turned out, I’ve finished birdie-birdie.”

Leading scores
1          Guy Wall                      65
2          Peter Brown                 66
T3        Andre Stolz                  67
T3        Peter Woodward          67
T3        Simon Pope                 67
T3        David Diaz                   67

February 7

Barson wins again at St Clair Legends

A new force is emerging on the PGA Legends Tour with Kiwi Dominic Barson winning for a second time this season in dominant fashion at the St Clair Legends Pro-Am in Dunedin.

A three-stroke winner at the Pegasus Legends Pro-Am, Barson shot 7-under 64 at St Clair Golf Club to win by five strokes from in-form Queenslander Murray Lott (69) with three players sharing third place at even par.

Fifth at Legends Tour Q School last January, Barson joined the Tour late last year and had top-10 finishes at Moss Vale and Pymble.

He got through First Stage of PGA TOUR Champions School in the US and now looks set to challenge for the Order of Merit title in 2025.

Barson made the perfect start to his round at St Clair, opening with a bogey at the par-5 14th.

That was followed by birdies at 15, 18 and one to be 5-under through six holes.

He backed up a birdie at 5 with three on the trot from the eighth hole to reach 9-under par, bogeys at two of his final three holes reducing the winning margin by two.

Leading scores
1          Dominic Barson           64
2          Murray Lott                  69
T3        Brad Burns                   71
T3        Ben Jackson                 71
T3        Roland Baglin               71

February 5

Powell, Lott share honours at Gleniti

A birdie on his final hole has seen Victorian Paul Powell match Murray Lott’s total of 3-under 69 and share victory at the Gleniti Legends Pro-Am near Timaru on New Zealand’s South Island.

Starting from the 11th hole, Powell had birdies at 13, 17 and one before dropping back to 2-under with a bogey at the par-4 third.

After three birdies and three bogeys in his opening seven holes, Lott started the front nine at Gleniti Golf Club even par but peeled off birdies at two, four, six and nine to be 4-under and two strokes ahead.

But Lott’s bogey on 10 and Powell’s birdie at the same hole saw the pair finished locked together at 3-under.

Lott and Powell both finished one stroke clear of a quartet of players at 2-under.

Leading scores
T1        Paul Powell       69
T1        Murray Lott      69
T3        James Kupa      70
T3        Brad Burns       70
T3        Mark Sandri     70
T3        Martin Pettigrew          70

February 4

Barson wins by three at Pegasus Pro-Am

Kiwi Dominic Barson displayed the type of form that got him into Final Stage of PGA TOUR Champions Q School to take out the Pegasus Legends Pro-Am at Pegasus Golf Club near Christchurch.

The third individual event of the New Zealand swing to kick off the 2025 PGA Legends Tour season, Barson made it a win for the locals with a superb round of 6-under 66.

The 50-year-old made it through to Final Stage last November by finishing tied for 15th at First Stage, level with Australian Brendan Jones who went on to secure his card at Final Stage in Arizona.

Although Barson was not successful in earning full playing rights for 2025, the experience appeared to pay off as he bounced back from an early bogey to post five birdies and an eagle to finish three clear of Brisbane’s Murray Lott (69).

There was a three-way tie for third with Waihi Legends Pro-Am winner Guy Wall tied with Brad Burns and Martin Pettigrew.

Leading scores
1          Dominic Barson           66
2          Murray Lott                  69
T3        Brad Burns                   70
T3        Martin Pettigrew          70
T3        Guy Wall                      70
6          Christopher Massie      71

February 3

Australia retains Charles-Nagle Trophy

The Charles-Nagle Trophy remains in Australian hands after an enthralling contest that went down to the final match at Harewood Golf Club.

With Sir Bob Charles on hand to present the winning team with the trophy, the Aussies got off to a fast start as Brad Burns and David Fearns completed a 5&4 win over Dominic Barson and Martin Pettigrew.

The Kiwis got a point on the board thanks to Dean Sipson and Craig Mitchell’s 4&2 win over Ben Jackson and Roland Baglin, the match square at 1.5 points each when Guy Wall and Murray Lott halved their match with Dell Bain and Peter Giles.

The final result would hinge on the last match, Scott Ford and John Onions prevailing over Malcolm Wells and Mike Gainsford 3&2 to secure the win for the Australians.

Final scores
Brad Burns/David Fearns def. Dominic Barson/Martin Pettigrew (NZ) 5&4
Dean Sipson/Craig Mitchell (NZ) def. Ben Jackson/Roland Baglin 4&2
Guy Wall/Murray Lott halved Dell Bain/Peter Giles (NZ)
Scott Ford/John Onions def. Malcolm Wells/Mike Gainsford (NZ) 3&2

February 2

Massie stuns with NZ PGA Seniors Pro-Am win

Two superb rounds have earned Queenslander Chris Massie a maiden PGA Legends Tour win at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools NZ PGA Seniors Pro-Am Championship at Hamner Springs Golf Club.

In his second year on the seniors circuit, Massie opened up a two-stroke lead with a round of 6-under 62 on day one and then followed that up with a 4-under 64 in Round 2 for a 10-under total.

Massie’s best finish in his rookie season was a tie for 13th at Tin Can Bay but he showed few signs of nerves as he held off Murray Lott (64-63) by one stroke with Brad Burns (64-66) and Dominic Barson (64-66) three shots further back in third.

Leading scores
1          Chris Massie                 62-64—126
2          Murray Lott                  64-63—127
T3        Brad Burns                   64-66—130
T3        Dominic Barson           64-66—130
5          Ben Jackson                 67-67—134

January 30

Wall has his way at Waihi Legends

Pymble’s Guy Wall made the perfect start to the 2025 PGA Legends Tour season with a two-stroke victory at the Expol Waihi Legends Pro-Am at Waihi Golf Club.

It is the third year in succession that the Legends Tour season has kicked off on New Zealand’s North Island and the second time in three years that Wall has won the season-opener.

A winner at Hanmer Springs two years ago, Wall shot 6-under 66 at Waihi to claim victory from West Australian Rob Farley (68) with Kiwi pair Dell Bain and Dominic Barson sharing third with rounds of 2-under 70.

Leading scores
1          Guy Wall          66
2          Robert Farley    68
T3        Dell Bain          70
T3        Dom Barson     70
T5        Justin Hooper  71
T5        Ben Jackson     71