Daniel Nisbet has won the 2019 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council in a dominant performance in his home state.

Starting the day with a two shot lead, Nisbet won the title by six shots from Deyen Lawson and Harrison Endycott with rounds of 66, 63, 63 and 64 for a tournament total 24-under 256.

“It’s a little bit surreal at the moment but today went pretty quick so it’s all starting to catch up now,” said Nisbet.

“I’ve been playing pretty well for the last few days so I was confident that I could shoot another good score today.”

Despite holding a comfortable lead overnight, Nisbet was conscious of fending off an in-form marquee group featuring European Tour member Lawson and New South Welshman Lincoln Tighe.

“I thought I’d have to shoot another good score to fend off the chasers,” added Nisbet who shot three early birdies and an eagle on the 10^th to further enhance his lead.

“I played with a couple of guys who hit the ball a mile so to keep up with them and stay on top of them as well was great.

“I putted well all week so it definitely helps when the putts roll in.”

A double bogey on the 12^th did little to shake the Queenslander’s nerve, going on to fire birdies on holes 13, 14 and 17 to secure a dominant win.

The victory at the QLD PGA Championship is Nisbet’s first title in his home state of Queensland and becomes his third win on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia in the past 12 months.

“It’s good to finally get one in my home state,” said Nisbet.

“I’ve been trying for a while so it is great. Finally my family got to see me win an event.

“It’s been a long time for them as my wins have been out of state or overseas so it’s good to have a win with all of them here,” said Nisbet who won the Northern Territory PGA Championship and New Zealand Open last year.

In the event’s 10^th staging at City Golf Club, Nisbet was not the only player to commend the club’s grounds staff for the impeccable greens on display across the tournament.

“The course was great,” continued Nisbet.

“This is the best I’ve seen the greens up here so it’s a privilege to play on greens this good especially in Queensland.

“We don’t always get blessed with greens this good up here so it’s been great.”

From Toowoomba Nisbet heads to Queenstown to defend his New Zealand Open title in the tournament’s 100^th staging.

“It’s a big confidence boost,” said Nisbet of the victory ahead of his title defence.

“I head to the New Zealand Open tomorrow and I’m defending there so I’ve got a big 10 days coming up.

“I’m hitting the ball well and I’m putting well so for me those are the two key aspects of my game.

“If they continue to roll in and if I find the fairway then it’s happy days.”

Nisbet becomes the third Daniel to win the QLD PGA Championship in as many years, following in the footsteps of 2017 winner Daniel Pearce and 2018 victor Daniel Fox.

Victorian Deyen Lawson takes a strong joint runner-up result overseas as he heads to the European Tour event in Oman next week.

He completed the QLD PGA Championship with rounds of 68, 63, 63 and 68 for an 18-under 262 tournament total.

Highlighting his round with an eagle on the 10^th, Lawson’s fourth round score was hard earned with a number of shots hit from the rough salvaged for par.

A late charge of four birdies in a row on holes 10 to 13 propelled young-gun Harrison Endycott into a tie for second place, while an additional birdie on 17 closed in on Nisbet’s lead.

While unable to get close enough, Endycott will take positives from Queensland and strong form to the New Zealand Open where he will look to challenge the front-runners at the Asian Tour co-sanctioned event.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia moves to New Zealand from 28 February to 3 March 2019 for the 100^th New Zealand Open.

Lincoln Tighe has returned from injury in spectacular form to top the leaderboard following the second round of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council.

In his first tournament since breaking his hand last year, a 6-under 64 on day one and 7-under 63 in round two has given the New South Welshman a two shot lead.

“If you told me that I’d have 6-under and 7-under from the first two rounds I would have taken it that’s for sure,” said Tighe.

“It was good to get off to a good start on day two; I was happy to make a couple of good putts early and keep it going.”

After 12 months away from the game the New South Welshman says while some tenderness remains in his hand he has had few issues out on the course so far.

“This is my first event back since I broke my hand so I wasn’t too sure how everything would hold up but it’s been good so far,” added Tighe who had surgery to remove a bone in his hand.

“I went through some rehab with a hand specialist so had a bit of time away from golf.

“I was working in my dad’s jewellery shop and I think that’s why I might be playing so well because I don’t want to go back there,” he joked.

The mental challenge will be what Tighe battles with most as the tournament moves into the weekend, but he believes he will be able to keep the nerves at bay.

“Especially with having so much time off the nerves can creep back in,” said Tighe.

“I’m not as trained up mentally, playing week in, week out as I was in previous years but I’m getting a handle on it.

“I just need to stick to my process, not think about the score and things like that.

“If I stick to that hopefully I’m around on Sunday.”

To be in contention in the final round of the QLD PGA Championship, Tighe will look to change up some aspects of his game on the City Golf Club layout.

“On the 9^th and 18^th I find the tee shots a little bit funky so I’m going to try and change something up on those last couple,” he said.

Tighe’s round of 7-under was equalled in the afternoon field by Queensland’s Daniel Nisbet who sits two shots off the lead at 11-under the card.

Within one shot with two holes to play after firing an eagle on the par-4 16^th, a bogey on the last cemented Nisbet’s second place in the tournament.

“I’ve been putting well for the last couple of days and hitting the ball pretty well,” said Nisbet.

“I managed to roll a couple in and hole one from off the green on the third last hole today which was a nice little bonus at the end there.

“The 16^th was definitely a highlight, it was playing pretty short today and we were able to take advantage of that,” said Nisbet, whose shot rivalled a similar performance from Tighe on the same hole earlier in the day.

“I hit it straight through to the green and chipped it in.

“The wind played a lot of tricks out there with a few of the shots.

With high winds and weather expected to hit over the weekend, both Tighe and Nisbet expect varying results over the next two days.

“There’s meant to be a bit of an Armageddon coming weather wise so who knows,” added Tighe.

“You talk to different people and it’s not going to be as bad or it’s going to be worse so we’ll just see what the guys do but I can only do what I can to play well.”

While Nisbet added, “If all of the leaders tee off around the same time we’re all going to get the same conditions.”.

“It might be tough out there but we’ll see how much the wind blows the ball around on the greens; it might be tricky or it might be ok.”

Victorian Deyen Lawson also fired 7-under the card in round two, recording eight birdies including three in a row from holes 5 to 7, with a bogey on 18 securing his final total and a place tied for third alongside New Zealand’s Daniel Pearce at 9-under.

Rounding out the top-5 on the leaderboard at 8-under the card are Nathan Green, James Nitties, Max McCardle, Denzel Ieremia and James Marchesani.

The second round cut was made at 1-under the card with 54 professionals and six amateurs making the weekend.

For tee times please visit pga.org.au.

For results please visit pga.org.au.

Daniel Nisbet has moved into the lead at the 2019 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council after firing 7-under the card in round three.

Battling with overnight leader Lincoln Tighe through the early holes it was Nisbet who was able to take advantage on the back-9, closing out his round with a stellar birdie on the 18^th for a two shot lead.

“The shot into the 18^th was probably my favourite shot of the day,” said Nisbet.

“I wasn’t on a great lie so I was lucky to get away with landing it just before the bunker at the back of the green and bringing it back to a foot or two.

“I think it is borderline lucky but that one will stand out for a while.”

Consistency and keeping a level head has been key for the Queenslander who, on a total of 18-under the card, is happy to take the lead into the final day.

“As long as I keep the lead I don’t really mind,” said Nisbet, whose believes his comfort on the City Golf Club layout will be beneficial on the final day.

“I’ve come from behind a lot of times so I don’t mind being in that position but front-running is a new thing for me so I’ll just get out there and attack this course.”

With two recent wins on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia in 2018 at the New Zealand Open and Northern Territory PGA Championship, it was Nisbet who chased down the lead on both occasions.

“I didn’t do anything differently in those two events last year and I really attacked that course,” Nisbet added.

“I had to go pretty low to beat the guys in front of me and it’s the same thing around this course, it’s easy to go low and the guys who are chasing me are probably going to try and do the same thing.”

With his title defence at the New Zealand Open only a week away, Nisbet believes a win in Toowoomba would be the perfect positive to take to Queenstown.

“A win would give me a big confidence boost going into next week,” continued Nisbet.

“It’s a tough week trying to defend a title as well so I hopefully can draw some positive vibes from this week going into next.”

Flying under the radar early in the tournament, Deyen Lawson came to the forefront in round three to sit two shots behind the lead at 16-under par.

Recording a stellar four birdies in a row from holes 14 to 17, the back-9 stood out for the Victorian who is pleased with his consistency ahead of a big 2019.

“I played pretty solid today,” said Lawson, who will play fulltime on the European Tour in 2019.

“The first three days have been pretty consistent so I hope I can keep that going tomorrow.

“I birdied four of the last five and had a good chance on 18; I hit a good putt but it didn’t go in.

“Overall I played pretty solid for most of the day. I gave myself a lot of chances and converted a few of them; obviously you want them all to go in but all in all I’m pretty happy.”

While chasing down an in-form Nisbet will be no small feat, Lawson will turn his focus to his own form around the City Golf Club layout.

“If you’re playing well you like to think every course suits you but I’ve been driving it pretty straight and you’ve got to be pretty straight here,” said Lawson.

“If you get the putter rolling you can really give yourself lots of chances.

“You can’t really control what the other guys are doing and you just go out and try and post a good number and see how you go.”

It was a roller coaster round for overnight leader Lincoln Tighe featuring six birdies, four bogeys and a double at the final hole to post an even par round and be five shots of the lead.

West Australian Jarryd Felton also joined the front-runners in round three, tying for 4th alongside Harrison Endycott and Max McCardle at 12-under the card.

The final day of play at the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council will begin at 7:00am AEST at City Golf Club.

To view round four tee times please click here.

To view round three results please click here.

Harrison Endycott is off to a flying start at the 2019 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council, firing 7-under 63 to lead the field at City Golf Club.

Starting his round with three straight birdies from the 10^th tee, Endycott rode the birdie train adding a further six birdies to his tally alongside two bogeys to complete his round.

“Three birdies in a row, I haven’t done that for a while so it was nice to do that,” said Endycott.

“They were really nice looks and it felt very positive to make those going into the round so it’s always nice to start with some good momentum.”

Thankful for the early start and to be out of the Toowoomba heat, the New South Welshman was pleased to see his game come together for the Queensland PGA Championship.

“I feel like my game has been building every week and it was nice to be able to execute and see a result today,” he added.

“I kept the ball in play and got 63 which is always a good start to any golf tournament.

“It was definitely nice to get that out of the way and play some really solid golf.

“You’ve got to drive the ball really well around here and give yourself as many opportunities as you can and I did an awesome job of that today, hitting a lot of wedge shots and making some putts.

West Australian Ben Ferguson joined Endycott at the top of the leaderboard after an almost blemish free opening round at the Queensland PGA Championship.

Also starting his round with a birdie, Ferguson went on to record three in a row on the front-9 from holes 5-7 with just one bogey at the final hole to finish at 7-under 63.

“I got off to a good start and had a few birdies, I made a bit of a rally and continued it but unfortunately got a little bit unlucky on the last,” said Ferguson.

“All together it was a good round and I’m happy to start off like that.

“I hit the ball solid all day and wedged it tight so it was a stress-free 7-under par.”

Pleased with his efforts, Ferguson praised the City Golf Club staff for some of the best course conditions he had seen in recent times.

“The course is great,” continued Ferguson.

“The greens are awesome, some of the best greens I’ve ever putted on and it’s a bit of a tricky track but it is good fun.

“It was a little bit unexpected out there,” said Ferguson of the conditions after completing his round.

“I thought the wind was going to be up looking at the forecast so to go out there and play nine holes and go through the turn see that the wind was not doing much and dying down if anything was good.”

Former Darling Downs local Andrew Dodt put on a good performance in his opening round to be tied for fourth on 5-under 65 with amateur Lawry Flynn third on 6-under the card.

“It was a nice morning,” said Dodt. “I played quite nicely and it was a solid start so we’ll wait and see where 5-under is at the end of the day.”

“The course is great but the wind was pretty strong early and I thought it was going to continue for the rest of the day, but it kind of died down a bit which made playing conditions quite easy.”

Playing with his father as his caddy has been beneficial for Dodt in more ways than one, from both a golfing and mindset point of view.

“It’s pretty cool to have him out there,” added Dodt.

“He’s a farmer so there were a few occasions where I was asking him where the wind was coming from and he knew straight away but he’s pretty cruisey, my dad.

“He doesn’t get flustered with whether I make a birdie or a bogey so he just cruises along.”

Ryan Lynch has launched into the lead in round one of the Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council, recording an incredible eight birdies and an eagle in rain-marred conditions.

Beginning his round on the back-9, Lynch fired an eagle on the par-5 10^th to get his Championship off to a strong start.

“On the first hole of the day I hit a really nice drive and an 8-iron to 12 foot, then a big breaking putt and ended up finding the bottom,” said an ecstatic Lynch, who finished on 8-under the card.

Early into the afternoon round heavy rain and lightning brought the field into the clubhouse for a short break before returning to the course 50 minutes later, but the delay did little to dampen Lynch’s spirits.

“I was glad there was a little bit of lightning because I didn’t have an umbrella or any wet weathers out there when we got called in,” added Lynch.

“It was very handy to have that little break and I played nicely today.

“It also meant that our next tee shot wasn’t straight into the rain and wind so that was nice.”

The front-9 was where it all came together for the Victorian, rocketing to the lead with birdies on holes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 to pass morning leaders Harrison Endycott and Ben Ferguson.

“I lost count,” said Lynch of the number of birdies he recorded on the City Golf Club layout.

“But the putter was rolling nicely and I was hitting a lot of nice shots, so I’m just happy to be sitting here at the moment, right in the tournament and we’ll see how the rest of the week goes.”

Looking ahead to round two, Lynch says a good night’s sleep will help as he plots his course for tomorrow.

“I’ll get to bed early tonight,” he said. “I’ll wake up when my alarm wakes me up and come out and do my best again.”

“You just have to keep giving yourself looks at birdie around this course because there are a lot of birdies out here but there are a lot of bogeys as well if you make a mistake.”

Earlier in the day rising stars Harrison Endycott and Ben Ferguson set the benchmark for the field, firing 7-under 63 in the morning.

Starting his round from the 10^th tee with three straight birdies, Endycott rode the birdie train adding a further six to his tally alongside two bogeys to complete his round.

“Three birdies in a row, I haven’t done that for a while so it was nice to do that,” said Endycott.

“They were really nice looks and it felt very positive to make those going into the round so it’s always nice to start with some good momentum.”

West Australian Ben Ferguson joined Endycott at the top of the leaderboard after an almost blemish free opening round at the QLD PGA Championship.

Also starting his round with a birdie, Ferguson went on to record three in a row on the front-9 from holes 5-7 with just one bogey, coming on the final hole.

“I got off to a good start and had a few birdies, I made a bit of a rally and continued it but unfortunately got a little bit unlucky on the last,” said Ferguson.

“All together it was a good round and I’m happy to start off like that.

“I hit the ball solid all day and wedged it tight so it was a stress-free 7-under par.”

New South Welshman Nathan Green also equalled the 7-under par score in the afternoon field in his first tournament for 2019.

Round two of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council tees off at 6:30am on Friday 22 February at City Golf Club.

Former  Darling Downs local Andrew Dodt has returned to the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council to play in the event for the first time since 2014.

Growing up playing on the City Golf Club course for school golf and junior tournaments, Dodt hopes his knowledge of the layout and fond memories of the region can push him to a win in his home state of Queensland.

“I have a lot of great memories here,” said Dodt, who grew up in Gatton, just half an hour from the Toowoomba region.

“I certainly know the course from junior tournaments so absolutely I’ll try and take advantage of that.

“I want to try and win, that’s the goal.

“I’ve won the Queensland Open so it’d be nice to add the Queensland PGA next to it.”

Despite not featuring on the winner’s list in recent times, Dodt is hopeful of a success on home soil.

“My form is pretty good; unfortunately my results probably don’t speak for that,” he said.

“My game feels in really good shape though and I can’t wait to start tomorrow.”

Having recently spent most of his time playing on the European Tour, Dodt returns to Australia to focus on family and play a stint on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Most of my season last year was taken up by my European Tour schedule but I’m not playing much in Europe this year so I can get back and have a crack here,” added Dodt.

Now living in Newcastle, Dodt’s father will caddy for him across the weekend at the QLD PGA, while his wife and three month old daughter have also made the trip to watch the 33-year-old in action.

“Yeah it’s been awesome,” continued Dodt.

“I don’t get back home very often. Mum and dad live in Gatton so I get to see them and my wife and I just had a baby as well so it’s great to have them here.

“We only got up here yesterday but it’s been good catching up with familiar faces.

“Hopefully I’ll get some support here from my family and friends in Gatton but we’ll see what happens.”

Starting his Queensland PGA charge alongside Ben Eccles and Todd Sinnott at 6:40am on Thursday, Dodt joins a field that also features 2018 champion Daniel Fox, golfing legends Peter Senior and Peter Lonard as well as in-form New South Welshman James Nitties and Nick Flanagan.

“It’s a good field, it really is,” said Dodt.

“There’s a lot of depth, but I’ve just got to focus and do my job.”

Playing in Wednesday’s pro-am Dodt praised the greenkeepers for top course conditions in light of the intense drought that has plagued the region.

“Driving up from Brisbane it’s obviously quite dry out here but the course is looking in great condition, the greenkeepers have done a fantastic job,” he said.

The 2019 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council tees off on Thursday 21 February at City Golf Club, Toowoomba.

The Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council celebrates its 10^th year of competition at City Golf Club in 2019 and is set to welcome two of its most recent champions back to the tournament.

Reigning champion Daniel Fox is thrilled to return to City Golf Club in strong form following last year’s win, optimistic that he can continue his recent string of strong results.

“It’s quite special,” said Fox.

“Now that I’m coming back to the same course again, where you have had a win has its advantages so I can plot the way I want to go about attacking the course.

“It’s a good feeling; I’m in a bit of form after last week in Perth so I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” added Fox, who finished tied 26th at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

“It’s a bit more of a golf course that will suit me. It’s a bit shorter and you need to be pretty accurate so I fancy my chances.”

Returning as reigning champion will add no extra pressure for the West Australian who enjoys the laid-back atmosphere of the tournament.

“No, not really,” he said of the pressure.

“It’s surprising; it feels like longer than a year ago that I actually won the tournament.

“Last year will still always be there but this year it’s a chance to start something new again for 2019.

“This week here, it’s a bit more relaxing,” says Fox who has competed in two European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia co-sanctioned tournaments over the past two weeks.

“It’s a different sort of vibe about the place so I think everything’s sort of a bit more measured.

“It still won’t be easy by any stretch but from my point of view it’s a bit more manageable.”

Fox is not the only player with the advantage of course knowledge in 2019 as 2016 victor Daniel Pearce returns with hopes of adding his name to the winner’s list once again on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

Recording his first professional win at the 2017 Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship, Pearce went on to finish tied for 5th place at the 2017 Fiji International before starting his year on a high in 2018 with a 6th place finish at the REBEL Sport Masters. This week marks the start of his 2019 campaign.

Following his QLD PGA Championship win in 2011, New Zealander Gareth Paddison has found luck in Victoria, winning the 2012 and 2014 Victorian PGA Championship.

Making it through to the match play on Sunday at the 2019 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, Paddison carries form into the 2019 QLD PGA Championship and looks hopeful of another strong result in Queensland.

While the following players won’t be teeing it up at City Golf Club this week, their QLD PGA victories hold a special place in their careers.

Germany’s David Klein has been marred by injury since winning the QLD PGA Championship in 2016, suffering from a disc bulging in his back caused by Schuerermann’s Disease.

Going on to secure his card on the European Tour following his win in 2015, former champion Ryan Fox recently won the largest tournament of his professional career at the 2019 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

Cementing his status on the European Tour for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Fox has proven to be one of New Zealand’s best golfing exports having recorded a string of strong results since winning in Toowoomba four years ago.

Parramatta local Anthony Summers has focussed on his teaching career since his QLD PGA Championship win in 2014, going on to win events on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series most recently in 2018.

Queenslander and 2013 winner Brad Kennedy regularly plies his trade on the lucrative Japan Golf Tour recording his most recent win at the 2018 Sega Sammy Cup.

Having got his 2019 season off to a strong start, Brad Kennedy recorded a runner-up result at the ISPS HANDA Vic Open and a 10th place finish at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

In a change of pace, 2012 champion Andrew Tschudin has turned his focus to caddying for up and coming golf star Cameron Davis on the US PGA TOUR.

Having first caddied for the young Australian when he won the Australian Open in 2017, Tschudin has continued to support the New South Welshman since and will provide his expertise this week at the Peurto Rico Open.

Winning the first QLD PGA Championship played at City Golf Club in 2009, the tournament acted as a springboard for Steven Bowditch who went on to record victories on the PGA TOUR.

Winning locally at the 2010 NSW PGA Championship before turning his focus overseas, Bowditch won the 2015 AT&T Byron Nelson tournament, as well as the 2014 Valero Texas Open and continues to play in the United States.

The Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council tees off on 21 February, 2019 at City Golf Club, where former champions Darren Beck, Andrew Bonhomme, Kurt Barnes, Andre Stolz, Nathan Green and two-time winner Terry Price also join the field.

For the full list of winners visit pga.org.au.

2018 – Daniel Fox

2017 – Daniel Pearce

2016 – David Klein

2015 – Ryan Fox

2014 – Anthony Summers

2013 – Brad Kennedy

2012 – Andrew Tschudin

2011 – Gareth Paddison

2010 – was not played

2009 – Steven Bowditch

One of Australia’s most recognised golfers Peter Senior will join the field at the upcoming Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council at City Golf Club.

Senior, who has recently recorded a string of strong results in the Ladbrokes Legends Tour, will be joined by defending champion Daniel Fox with the pair set to tee off against a host of in-form Australian golfers.

2018 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year Matt Millar, PGA TOUR winners Peter Lonard and Mark Hensby also join the entry list, ensuring the competition at the 2018 Queensland PGA Championship will be hotter than ever.

The tournament also welcomes back previous winners including Daniel Pearce (2017), Gareth Paddison (2011), Darren Beck (2008), Andrew Bonhomme (2007), Kurt Barnes (2004), Andre Stolz (2002), Nathan Green (2000), and two-time winner Terry Price (1988, 1990) who will tee it up in 2019.

“It’s great to be welcoming eight of our past champions back to the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council, especially on the event’s 10^th staging at City Golf Club,” said General Manager – Tournaments for the PGA of Australia, Simon Butterly.

“The field is looking absolutely fantastic this year and the course is in great condition.”

Former NRL Player and Fox Sports presenter Ben Ikin also bolsters the 2019 list after reducing his handicap to 1.7 and receiving an invitation to play earlier this year.

“Ben Ikin was very driven to compete in an ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia tournament so it was excellent to see him achieve his goals through working with Matt Guyatt, a PGA Pro,” added Butterly.

“His addition to the field certainly adds a different element of interest to the tournament which will be shown live on PGA TV on the weekend.”

To mark the 10^th year anniversary of the event being staged at City Golf Club, a Champions Dinner will be hosted on Wednesday 20 February at City Golf Club.

Past winners playing in this year’s tournament will be joined by former QLD PGA Champions including Peter Barry, Randall Vines, Robbie Gibson and Alan Cooper as well as video messages from Ian Baker-Finch, Cameron Percy, Ossie Moore, Lucas Parsons and many more.

Former NRL star Ben Ikin has continued his preparation for the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council, joining coach and PGA Teaching Professional Matt Guyatt for a practice round at City Golf Club on Tuesday 29 January.

Ikin received an invitation to play at the QLD PGA Championship earlier this year and has since worked closely with Guyatt to further reduce his handicap and prepare for the event.

With just under three weeks until players tee off, Ikin met with Guyatt to put the final touches on his game.

“It was great to develop a plan with Matt today,” said Ikin.

“Knowing I have a structure, that will make life easier come tournament time.”

With an overall aim of reducing his current handicap of 1.7 to scratch, Ikin’s hopes for the QLD PGA Championship include making the cut and progressing through to the final rounds of the tournament.

“My primary goal is to make the cut though if I set the bar higher then hopefully it will take the pressure off if I am near the cut line on Friday afternoon.”

The professional sportsman and current Fox Sports presenter believes any nerves out on the course will be short lived.

“There will no doubt be nerves on the first tee though I am confident by the time the first round comes along I would have done the preparations to achieve my goal,” added Ikin.

Ikin will tee it up alongside some of Australia’s best at the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship presented by Toowoomba Regional Council which kicks off at City Golf Club from 21 February, 2019.