Sunday 4 December 2016 15:51, UK
Harold Varner III ended a run of home dominance by claiming a two-shot victory and a maiden European Tour title at the Australian PGA Championship.
The American narrowly lost out in a play-off at last year's event but went one better this time around at RACV Royal Pines Resort, posting a final-round 65 to finish two strokes clear of nearest challenger Andrew Dodt.
Dodt had led throughout the week and began the day with a two-shot lead, but Varner followed a birdie-four at the third with a hat-trick of gains from the seventh to reach the turn one ahead.
After the pair exchanged birdies at the 10th, Varner cancelled out his first blemish of the day at the next to post back-to-back gains from the 12th and open up a two-shot cushion.
A two-shot swing at the par-three 14th levelled things up again, as Varner missed a short par save and Dodt holed a 40-footer, before the American picked up shots at the 15th and 17th to become the first non-Australian to win the tournament since 1999.
"That was pretty awesome, I had a lot of fun out there today," Varner said. "I'm now a much better, more mature player than I was 12 months ago and this win is big for me.
"Winning is hard, I don't care where you tee it up, so to get it done feels great."
Dodt closed a bogey-free 69 to claim outright second, with world No 7 Adam Scott a further two strokes back in third thanks to a five-under 67.
British pair Stephen Gallacher and Tom Lewis both ended the week inside the top-10, while Ian Poulter ended his European Tour return a further two strokes back in a tie for 21st.
