Varner III wins Australian PGA

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December 4, 2016

American golfer Harold Varner III claimed a two-shot victory and a maiden European Tour title at the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.

Varner was in good form at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, firing a final round seven under 65 for a 19-under-par total to finish two strokes ahead of Australia's Andrew Dodt.

Dodt began the day with a two-shot lead, but Varner was on fire starting with a birdie on the third and following that up with eight more birdies plus two dropped shots on the 11th and 14th holes for a 269 total.

Things were all square at the 14th following Varner's bogey and Dodt holing a 40-footer but the American birdied 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 after his victory. "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 ended with a bogey-free 69 for outright second, with Adam Scott two strokes back in third after a five under 67.

Top 10 scores:
1. VARNER III Harold, USA -19 (65, 72, 67, 65) – 269 Total
2. DODT Andrew, AUS -17 (65, 67, 70, 69)
3. SCOTT Adam, AUS -15 (68, 68, 70, 67)
4. HALL Ashley, AUS -14 (65, 69, 70, 70)
5. RUMFORD Brett, AUS -10 (69, 71, 71, 67)
6. COLETTA (AM) Brett, AUS -8 (72, 69, 70, 69)
6. SENDEN John, AUS -8 (70, 68, 68, 74)
6. VAN DRIEL Darius, NED -8 (72, 73, 68, 67)
9. FOX Ryan, NZL -7 (67, 69, 73, 72)
10. GALLACHER Stephen, SCO -6 (72, 69, 72, 69)
10. HEND Scott, AUS -6 (74, 70, 66, 72)
10. LANGASQUE Romain, FRA -6 (74, 70, 68, 70)
10. LEWIS Tom, ENG -6 (73, 72, 69, 68)