Queenslander Ryan Gaske has won his biggest professional event to date by winning the Evergreen Vanuatu Open.

Gaske who was in contention all week was part of an exciting final day that saw him finish with a two-shot victory and taking home just over $AU9,500.

The week was set up to be exciting with a small but strong field of professionals. Scoring was tight throughout the four rounds with many players giving themselves a chance to take out the title.

Aaron Cox held the lead heading into the final round but with six players within three shots it was still anyone’s tournament.

Cox shot an impressive front-9 5-under 31 including an eagle on the ninth hole where he holed a wedge from 100 metres. Heading to the back-9 Cox had extended his lead to four over Daniel Gale and Ryan Gaske.

Seemingly in control it all went wrong for Cox on the 14^th where a triple bogey would see him surrender his lead for the first time all day.

Ryan Gaske who seemed to be just going about his business all week took the opportunity that had been presented by Cox. Two holes later on the 16th, Gaske would make birdie to take the lead for the first time all week. Finishing with two solid pars on the 17^th and 18^th Gaske claimed a two-shot victory with a total of 16-under.

“I haven’t won anything big and this is pretty awesome. I’ve really got to thank the VGO for extending me an invite into the event," said Gaske.

“I’ve been based over in California as I try and play the PGA Latina Tour. Learning to play under different conditions on different grasses over there has definitely helped me this week."

Overnight leader Aaron Cox finished tied runner-up with Daniel Gale and New Zealander Kieran Muir on 14-under 274. Muir’s final round of 10-under 62 set a new course record at the Port Vila Country Club.

Rounding out the top five was Fijian, Sam Lee on 12-under 276. Defending Champion, Andrew Campbell finished in 12^th with even par 288.

“We’ve had really positive feedback from all players about this year’s event and we now look forward to 2019. It’s great that we have a commitment from David at Evergreen for the 2019 event so hopefully we can make it even bigger and better," said VGO Director, Brian Death.

The 2018 Vanuatu Open completes the South Pacific swing of tournaments on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series.

Andrew Campbell will return to Port Vila Country Club to defend his Vanuatu Open title.

Professionals from Australia, New Zealand, England, Fiji and New Caledonia will tee it up looking to take home the lion share of the AU$50,000 in prize money.

Campbell’s victory last year was not only the biggest of his career but would help him finish 11^th on the 2017 Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series Order of Merit and secure playing rights on the 2018 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

This year Campbell will need to be at his best to hold off a talented cast of professionals. Leading those is former US PGA Tour winner Andre Stolz who is back playing after some time off with injury and the 2018 SP PNG Open Champion, Daniel Gale who will make his way to Vanuatu for the first time and hopes to bring the same form he did to Papua New Guinea.

“I started the season with no status and now to have a Tour win under my belt I still can’t believe it. I’m looking forward to playing in Vanuatu for the first time and I hope to bring the same form I did to PNG,” Said Gale.

Gale not only won the SP PNG Open but the Morobe Open a week earlier as well, his winning scores of 22-under and 23-under respectively is a good indication of his talent and if he can produce something similar in Vanuatu, it’ll be quite a show.

NSW/ACT PGA Tournament Coordinator, Peter Welden praised the work of the organising committee and outlined the importance of the event.

“The South Pacific events are an integral part of the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series. The Vanuatu Open attracts more players than any other South Pacific event," said Welden.

"There’s a relaxed atmosphere about the event which in turn has seen many friendships between the professionals and amateurs grow over the years. Bryan Death does an amazing job coordinating the event and it’s extremely popular for both amateur and professional competitors.”

The 2018 Vanuatu Open will commence on Thursday 23 August with the winner being crowned on Sunday afternoon.