Rookie Professional Aaron Wilkin has claimed the biggest win of his short career today, outlasting good friend Tim Hart on the second playoff hole to claim the New Pioneer Motors City of Mackay Open.

Starting the
final round three shots behind Gavin Flint, Wilkin made the turn in 2-under the
card but still trailed the overnight leader by one. 

With Flint
and Wilkin struggling over the back nine, Tim Hart who was one hole ahead moved
into contention over the closing holes, posting the clubhouse lead at 12-under
par, after making a birdie at the 507 metre par-5 18th.

Flint dropped
shots at 10 and 12, before a double bogey at 15 and another at 16 all but ruled
him out of contention.

Wilkin also
dropped two shots on the back nine, however a birdie on the par three 17^th,
would see him gain a share of the lead with Hart with one to play.

Wilkin made a
solid two-putt par at the last, to force a sudden death playoff to be played on
the 18^th hole.

Both players made
birdies on the first extra hole, and when they both found the fairway on the
second playoff hole, it looked as though it may go head into a third.

After a poor
second shot, Wilkin hit a great pitch, leaving himself with a 10 foot putt for
birdie.

Hart had the
chance for victory after his second finished on the back fringe, however when
his approach putt came up eight feet short, the title remained wide open.

After making
a five foot putt on the first playoff hole, Wilkin calmly holed his 10 foot
birdie putt to place the pressure back on Hart.

Unfortunately
for Hart, his birdie putt lipped out on the high side of the cup, handing
Wilkin the City of Mackay Open title.

"Words can’t
really describe how I feel at the moment, but I know I am going to have lots of
fond memories of Mackay," said Wilkin following his win.

"Today wasn’t
easy and when I dropped a few shots early on the back nine, I started to think
that I wouldn’t find myself in this position. Thankfully I stuck to my game
plan and here I am with my first professional title under my belt."

"My game has
been great all week, especially in yesterday’s third round to get myself in a
position to contend today’s final round. The win has certainly put the icing on
the week and will give me plenty of confidence heading into the PGA Tour of Australasia
events later in the year." 

This is the
second playoff loss for Hart in 2015, after losing to Daniel Nisbet at the
Morobe Open.

"I am not
going to dwell on the loss today, only take away the positives from what has
been another good week," said Hart who has been in good form all year.

"It’s great
to again put myself in a position and hopefully I can continue on with this
form in Rockhampton next week." 

Tim Hart
continues to lead the way in the MLC Advice Nundah Order of Merit title, with
Aaron Wilkin moving into 7^th after his win today.

The Choice
Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series Sunshine Swing now heads to Rockhampton for the
$55,000 Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am which starts on Thursday. Troy Cox
will return looking to defend his title after his emphatic victory 12 months
ago.

The Sunshine
Swing forms part of the Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series which comprises of 200
events Australia wide.

Played across
more than 170 golf courses around Australia the Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series
plays an important part in the development of Australia’s Professional Golfers
whilst also growing the game at a grass roots level by engaging an estimated
48,000 amateur golfers each year.

For all of
the results from the City of Mackay Open please click here.