Ryan Lynch wins 2014 WA Goldfields PGA Championship: wrap and video highlights
Victorian Ryan Lynch has won the WA Goldfields PGA Championship in a dramatic final round at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course.
Media release, courtesy of the PGA of Australasia.
Starting the day six shots off the lead, Lynch fired an impressive 5-under 67 in the final round to win the title by a shot with a tournament total of 12-under 276.
“I am on top of the moon. I am really happy to get the monkey off the back and get my first win,” said Lynch.
“My mindset today was to stay patient. I knew that I was playing well enough, if I could make a few birdies, I could climb the leaderboard.”
But victory didn’t come easy for the 25-year-old third year Professional.
Heading to the par-3 17th Lynch was tied for the lead with overnight leader and fellow Victorian Chris Gaunt.
An untimely bogey on the hardest hole of the day saw him in the clubhouse one shot off the pace.
“I made a real concerted effort not to look at any leaderboards or ask for scores, I just wanted to play my game,” said Lynch.
“I thought I might have needed one or two more birdies coming in with three to play, so the three putt on 17 hurt but it didn’t dull the confidence.”
“I just tried to play the last hole as good as I could, get in the clubhouse and wait and see.”
Lynch headed to the range in anticipation of a playoff and watched on as Gaunt bogeyed the 17th and 18th holes to hand him an outright victory.
“I was definitely preparing for a playoff,” added Lynch.
“I thought I might have been one shot short but Gaunty (Chris Gaunt) unfortunately did the same as me on 17.”
“To come down and get the news that I had won it outright was exceptionally good.”
It’s a special moment for Lynch and his family, his father is renowned golf coach Dale.
“I spoke to Dad as I was walking up to the driving range to let him know that I might be in a playoff,” added Lynch.
“I haven’t spoken to him since; I can’t wait to give him and my old lady a call.”
“He will be stoked and I dare say we will be having a couple of beers when I get home.”
“I am really proud.”
For his win Lynch earns AU$16,500 in prizemoney, Official World Ranking Points and full status on the PGA Tour of Australasia for the remainder of this season and the next two.
Chris Gaunt finished his tournament with a 2-over 74 to be tied second on 11-under the card while his playing partner Peter Cooke (SA) birdied his last three holes to join him.
New Zealander Ben Campbell finished outright fourth on 10-under the card.
Rounding out the top-5 on 9-under 279 are Daniel Valente (VIC) and amateur Jarryd Felton (WA).
The PGA Tour of Australasia will now take a week off before heading to Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club in Colebee for the NSW Open Championship.
