Greg's Great Moment as Scott Stumbles in Record Breaking Australian PGA

Greg Chalmers became a multiple winner of the Australian PGA Championship after a dramatic finish to the record breaking tournament at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.. He won the 2011 event in a play-off and he also secured this year’s trophy in sudden death but that’s where the similarities ended. 3 years ago Chalmers won on the first play-off hole, this year it would take an unbelievable 7 extra holes. It was the longest play-off in the history of top level Australian golf. The 41 year old’s fabulous final round saw him Rocket to the leader board after he began the last day well back in the pack. Then he held his nerve when it counted, etching his name on the Joe Kirkwood Cup for the second time after seeing off World Number 3 Adam Scott in front of a packed 18th hole.

Snake’s Alive – Chalmers Charges Home In Fantastic Final Round

The man they call Snake slithered his way to the lead after his 72 holes thanks to a sizzling fourth round. Not in contention before he teed off on the final day Chalmers birdied four of the first 8 holes and his sensational run continued. The lefty fired a front nine 32 to give himself a glimmer of hope, a score he then matched on the back nine after knocking in a brilliant birdie on the 18th. It was little wonder the Westerner was fist pumping, his superb 8 under 64 was the round of the tournament, sending him to the clubhouse with the lead at 11 under. But Chalmers day wasn’t done; South Australian Wade Ormsby sent the championship to a play-off while favourite Adam Scott made it a 3 way tie after finishing his round with an adventurous par.

Three Two One – Record Breaking Play-Off One For The Ages

Scott should have won back to back Australian PGA titles on the opening play-off hole but putting woes which have plagued his Australian summer particularly in the Championship ensured all 3 men would do it all again for a second time. The World number 3’s poor putting would be a theme of the sudden death shootout. Next it was Ormsby who had a chance at his greatest day in Golf after Chalmers and Scott both parred on their second attempts. The pressure though proved too much, as the 31 year old missed a simple 10 footer. It was Ormsby’s only chance at victory; he’d bow out on the third play-off hole with Chalmers and Scott both securing birdies.

And then there were 2, play-off holes 4 and 5 were almost a carbon copy of one another. Chalmers saw more of the course after wild swings off the tee, while Scott’s superb drives put him in prime position. But while Chalmer’s recovery play and putting was spot on, the Queenslander’s wedge wasn’t quite hitting the mark and he left himself with putts he couldn’t convert for birdie. By the time both men parred the sixth play-off hole it’d been more than an hour and a half since the last group finished their regular round, but a record breaking 7th extra play-off hole would be the last. Scott 3 putted the 18th leaving his opponent with a glorious chance for glory, Chalmers duly accepted to finish a fairytale final day.

Greg’s Great Pay Day See’s Him Win Order of Merit

Chalmers $180,000 pay day saw him also win the 2014 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for despite only entering four tournaments. He finished with just under $255,000 in prize money, more than $40,000 in front of second place getter Steven Jeffress. It caps a stellar fortnight for the West Aussie after his fifth place finish at the Australian Open saw him qualify for the Open Championship at St Andrews in July.

Wet weather on day 2 couldn’t rain on organisers’ parade as the Championship delivered plenty of memorable moments. American Boo Weekley was a fan favourite despite declaring his distaste for Vegemite while the world Number 3 not only drew a strong crowd but was also a part of the record breaking finish. Scott’s expected to return next year as he also aims to become a multiple winner. After coming so close…. There’s unfinished business.