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Holman bogies last two holes and still wins in Australia

The Australian PGA winner gets doused with champagne
The Australian PGA winner gets doused with champagne

Nathan Holman rebounded after making bogeys on the last two holes in regulation to win the Australian PGA Championship after a three-way play-off.

Holman sealed his first professional title on the first extra hole after finishing tied with American Harold Varner and Dylan Frittelli at even par.

All three players missed the fairway with their drives on the first play-off hole, the tricky par-four 18th, but only Holman found the green with his approach.

The 24-year-old safely made a par to claim the title after overnight co-leaders Varner and Frittelli both made bogeys at the Royal Pines Resort on Australia's Gold Coast.

Holman had been two shots clear at two-under with two holes to play but bogeyed both, settling for a final round of 73 after opening the door for Varner and Frittelli.

Playing together in the last pairing, neither man was able to birdie either of the last two holes, with both signing for 75s and joining Holman in the playoff.

South Africa's Zander Lombard, who had shared the overnight lead with Varner and Frittelli, finished one stroke out of the playoff at one-over while Australia's Cameron Smith dropped three shots in his last six holes to finish at two-over.

By winning the tournament, co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Holman ensured he won the Australasian Order of Merit.

"I've deserved it. It's stuff you dream of playing golf as a kid.”

Victory earned him a place in next year's British Open at Royal Troon and the World Golf Championships Events.

It also earned him a European Tour card for the next two seasons.

"It's huge. I didn't realise what was on the line," Holman told reporters. "It's probably a good thing, to be honest.

"I did think I'd get to those events in the future. I didn't think it would be this quickly.

"To do it off the back of a victory is probably going to be better - I've deserved it. It's stuff you dream of playing golf as a kid.”

Ireland’s Paul Dunne’s weekend continued to get worse and he eventually finished tied-44th on ten over.

After an opening round 72 and back-to-back 75s he endured his worst day of the weekend with a 76 on Sunday.

However, it wasn't all bad news for the Greystones golfer, as he took home €4,380 following his first finish as a full European Tour member.

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