Brett Coletta, Steven Jeffress and Brett Rankin have been declared joint winners of the Qantas Golf Club Gold Coast Challenge.

Victorian Brett Coletta made 10 birdies in his second round of 8–under par 64 to go alongside his opening 3-under par 69. The 21-year-old began his round on the 4th hole at Links Hope Island in the morning’s shotgun start, and started disappointingly with an opening bogey after driving into the rough before making birdies at the 5th, 6th and 8th holes.

Another poor drive at the 9th hole led to another bogey, but that was quickly offset with a birdie on the 10th hole. Further birdies at the 12^th, 15^th, 16^th, and 18th holes saw Coletta move to 6-under with 3 holes left to play and the talented youngster was far from done, making birdies at his final two holes to sign for a superb 8-under par 64.

Coletta was clearly delighted with his round, especially given the tough, windy conditions.

"This is the first time that I had played at Links Hope Island,” said Coletta.

“I really like the course and I can’t believe how good the condition was given all of the rain here in recent weeks, especially the greens which rolled really well.

“I putted solidly and am really happy with my results over the past two days."

The Victorian said that his focus was now firmly set on the Mackenzie Tour – Canada Qualifying School in five weeks time.

"I played well in New Zealand the past couple of weeks and I just want to keep that momentum going so I can head over there playing well,” added Coletta.

“Playing here and at RACV Royal Pines Resort the next couple of days is a really good opportunity for me to gain some confidence before I head to Canada."

Steven Jeffress, who played off the 10^th tee in the afternoon draw shot a 5-under par 67 to go with his opening 6–under par 66 and after a strong start found himself 2-under par through four holes.

Gold Coast based Jeffress unleashed with birdies at the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 6^th holes get to 12-under par. The only blemish on the card was a bogey at the par-47^th hole, where the 42-year-old drove left off the tee and failed to get up and down from just short of the green.

Jeffress said it was his putting that kept him in the game today.

“I hit the ball fairly solidly on both days, but it was my putting which kept me in the tournament. I putted really well today,” said Jeffress.

Rankin’s second round 6-under par 66 was nearly textbook perfect, with the 31-year-old going bogey free in the tough and windy afternoon conditions. The Queenslander jumped out of the blocks making birdies at his first three holes, the 8^th, 9^th and 10^th,to get to 8-under par, with further birdies at the 12^th, 18^th, and 2^nd holes jumping him into a tie for the lead at 11-under.

Rankin credited his short game for keeping him in the hunt today.

“I played fairly steady today but it was really my short game which kept me in it,” said Rankin

Breanna Gill claimed her first official ALPG Tour victory today at The Qantas Club Gold Coast Challenge at Links Hope Island after shooting a solid 2-under par final round of 70.

Gill, who held a one shot lead after the opening round, was admittedly very nervous heading out in the afternoon, however quickly calmed the nerves after holing out from 12 feet for birdie on her opening hole, the 7^th, and following up with another birdie at the par-5 8^th hole after reaching the green in two shots.

A bogey at the par-4 ninth hole saw the 37-year-old slip back to 5-under par, but a birdie at the short par-4 12^th hole saw her regain the two shot lead over Belgian Manon De Roey who had earlier shot a superb 5-under par 67 to finish the tournament at 4-under par.

Gill made another bogey at the 13^th hole but managed to steady the ship making pars at each of the next six holes before making another birdie at the 2^nd hole, her 14^th, where she holed out from 40 feet.

She was relieved to claim her first official title, especially having lost at the Brisbane Invitational at McLeod Country Golf Club last Friday in a four-way playoff.

“Losing the playoff at McLeod really motivated me to do well here at Links Hope Island. I love the golf course and always enjoy playing on the Gold Coast,” said Gill.

“I would really like to thank my sponsors Volvik and John Harriss and his team at Champion Sports for all their support.”