Queensland’s Brett Rankin has claimed his third Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am victory by three shots at Dysart Golf Club with rounds of 67 and 64 for a tournament total of 131.

On a perfect Central Highlands afternoon the chase was on to catch overnight leader Paul Hayden who started the final round one shot clear of the field in the two-day Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series tournament.

Rankin got off to a fantastic start in his quest for his third win following victories in 2016 and 2017, making birdies on his first four holes and another on the 8^th to see him make the turn at 5-under 31.

Hayden made the turn at 3-under 33 and the pair were locked in a two horse race at 9-under par for the tournament heading into the final nine holes.

Hayden made birdie the 10^th and 11^th holes but a bogey on the 14^th resulted in a two shot swing as Rankin applied the pressure with a string of birdies on the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th holes.

An eagle on the par-5, 15^th hole for Hayden put him within one shot of Rankin but another bogey on the 16^th ended his chances.

Holding a two-shot lead standing on the 18^th tee Rankin made no mistake with his approach, securing par on the final hole to claim the 41^st Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am.

“I played well and gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies,” said Rankin.

“I drove the ball well off the tee, which meant I didn’t miss many greens; this was the difference between yesterday and today’s round.

“I am thrilled to make this my third win here in Dysart. It’s a fantastic event and all of the volunteers do an amazing job.”

Paul Hayden finished in outright second place with rounds of 66 and 68 for a 10-under 134 tournament total.

Darren Beck, Samuel Rawlings and Dane McArdle tied for third place to complete the top five with 9-under 135 tournament totals.

Queenslander Tim Hart holds the lead for the Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series on 28-under par, holding a two shot lead over Brett Rankin on 26-under, while the next best placed professional is Darren Beck sitting on 22-under.

The next stop on the Onsite Rental Mining Towns Series will be Middlemount Golf and Country Club where play begins at 7.00am Tuesday morning for the Middlemount South Pro-Am.

The much anticipated 40^th Anniversary Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am teed off yesterday at the Dysart Golf Club.

There was a chill in the air and much excitement as round one got underway with temperatures of two degrees testing the early morning field.

It wasn’t long before scores on course started to heat up with three players firing rounds 5-under par 67 to hold the early lead in the Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am.

Former winner Aaron Pike (2012), New South Welshman Leigh McKechnie and Sanctuary Cove based professional Young Hyun Kim shot rounds of 5-under par 67 to share the early lead in the Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am.

Victorian Ruben Lal has shot his best round for the series along with the low round of the afternoon field firing a 5-under par 67 to join the lead group of professionals.

Lal’s round included four birdies, one bogey and an eagle on the 441 metre par 5, 15^th hole, with a strong birdie-birdie finish to his round he has found himself well positioned for round two.

“The course is in great shape and in particular the greens," said Lal.

“I found the pace similar to what we get back home in Melbourne which suits my game much better then slower greens.”

New South Welshman Leigh McKechnie has made a return visit back to the Central Highlands following a long absence and has recorded his best start to an event this series opening with a fairly textbook round including six birdies and just the lone bogey on his 10^th hole.

“I missed the fairway off the tee on the 10^th hole which ended up against a tree,” said McKechnie.

“I played a good recovery up close to the green then a poor chip left me an 8-foot putt for par, which I missed."

The next best placed professional is Sanctuary Cove’s Tom Major courtesy of a 3-under par 69 to trail the leaders by two shots heading into round two.

There is a cluster of players sitting on 2- under par 70 poised and ready to make a move in the second round including Steve Jeffress, Brett Rankin, Daniel McGraw, Tom Parchimowicz, Nathan Freyling and Wayne Rostron.

Queenslander Brett Rankin still holds a commanding lead over the field for the Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series on 47 – under par and has extended his lead a further two shots following today’s round over Paul Hayden who is currently sitting on 38 – under par.

There was entertainment both on and off the course today with an abundance of wildlife looking for a glimpse of the action on course, kookaburras perched on the balcony, koalas watching from nearby trees and kangaroos grazing the fairways.

The atmosphere in the Eat Street Market was in full swing late in the afternoon with a variety of tempting treats from a number of food outlets along with the acoustic sounds of the band had the local crowds entertained ahead of tonight 3-Hole Shootout under lights.

The second round of the Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am is underway.

The Dysart Golf Club in Queensland’s Central Highlands will this weekend celebrate a significant milestone of 40 consecutive years of hosting a Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series event.

The Club held their inaugural Pro-Am back in 1978. The event attracted modest fields in the early years however it didn’t take long for the Dysart Golf Club to establish itself as one of the premier Pro-Ams on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series schedule.

A full schedule of celebratory events are planned across the weekend beginning this afternoon with the Sponsors Golf Day where those companies supporting the event will enjoy a round with the professionals before they get down to business in tomorrow’s opening round.

Friday evening will see the Clubhouse grounds turned into the Eat Street Markets followed by the 3-Hole Shootout Spectacular under lights.

On Saturday evening the club will host a dinner for the professionals with the final round of the pro-am to conclude on Sunday evening followed by presentations and entertainment.

Drew Jacobson, President of the Dysart Golf Club, expressed how excited the team at Dysart GC are to have finally reached their 40^th Anniversary.

“The course is in fantastic condition thanks to all the hardworking volunteers who have given their time to prepare the course ahead of this year’s event and we are looking forward to an exciting conclusion to the Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series,” said Jacobson.

A number of past winners have returned to celebrate the 40 continuous years including Wayne Rostron (1997), Brad Burns (2000), Eddie Barr (2001, 2004,2009), local favourite Craig Woodbridge (2003), Aaron Pike (2012), Steven Jeffress (2013) and defending champion Brett Rankin (2016, 2017).

The 2018 Onsite Rental Group Dysart Pro-Am will see 39 professionals tee it up alongside the amateurs beginning at Dysart Golf Club from 7:00am. The marquee players are scheduled for a 12:00pm start.

Entry to the Dysart Golf Club will be free for the public to catch some of the best golfers in the country compete for the AU$35,000 prize purse over three days of competition.