PGA & WPGA TOURS OF AUSTRALASIA
Gale Claims Webex Players Series Hunter Valley
Daniel Gale produced two late birdies to score a narrow one-shot victory at the Webex Players Series Hunter Valley. Staged at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, Gale broke clear from a three-way tussle posting birdies at the 16th and 18th holes to overcome amateur golfer Phoenix Campbell. Kazuma Kobori was another shot further back in outright third place.
Gale, who won the NT PGA Championship in August 2023, fired a 4-under 66 on Sunday to reach 19-under. The 27-year-old from New South Wales superb round included a string of four consecutive birdies from the 6th hole.
Campbell from Victoria, was seeking his second win on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia after collecting the Queensland PGA Championship in November last year. Campbell returned a final round 1-under 69 to get to 18-under.
New Zealand’s Kobori was looking for this fourth straight Webex Players Series victory. The 22-year-old closed with a stunning 5-under 65 to finish at 17-under.
Queensland’s Elvis Smylie carded a final round 4-under 66 to get to 14-under and take solo fourth place. Jeffrey Guan from New South Wales claimed fifth spot at 13-under after scoring a 1-under 69 final round.
Poor weather on Saturday shortened the All Abilities and Junior events to 18 holes. Local Garth Allen took out the All Abilities title with a 7-over 77. He won by two shots over Wayne Perske. Zoe Arcus from Cromer Golf Club, NSW won the Junior title at the first playoff hole. Arcus was tied with Hunter Valley local Jesse Linden at 3-over after the 18 holes of regulation play. Arcus, aged 16, overcame Linden holing a 15-foot birdie putt in the playoff.
Final Scores
1. Daniel Gale -19
2. Phoenix Campbell -18
3. Kazuma Kobori -17
4. Elvis Smylie -14
5. Jeffrey Guan -13
T6. Kotono Fukaya -12
T6. Justice Bosio -12
Image courtesy of Australian Golf Media Centre
