ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia
The Players Series Victoria
Kennedy Claims The Players Series Victoria After Injury
Brad Kennedy stormed home to win The Players Series Victoria by one shot on a drama-filled final round.
Kennedy started the final round with a two shot lead. However, he was forced to play the majority of the final round in severe discomfort after he popped his hip at the third hole.
The 46-year-old tour veteran hampered by his hip injury fell two shots behind the leaders with three holes to play. He then produced an eagle at the par 5, 16th and a stunning birdie at the final hole for his 14th career victory. The three-time Japan Golf Tour winner completed the event at 17-under.
The exciting final round at Rosebud Country Club saw a bunch of players in the mix down the stretch.
Eighteen-year-old amateur golfer Elivis Smylie fired a final round 8-under 63 including birdieing the final three holes to finish one shot behind Kennedy in second place at 16-under. The son of former Australia tennis star Liz Smylie began the event on Thursday at six over par after 14 holes. Smylie followed his poor start with a remarkable 22-under over his closing 58 holes.
LPGA Tour player Su Oh got to 14-under after a closing round of 65. The 24-year-old shared the lead with Kennedy, Smylie and Matt Millar late on Sunday. Oh finished in a tie for third place with Nathan Barbieri. Barbieri was the first round leader after firing a course record 61.
Tournament host Geoff Ogilvy finished in a tie for 14th place at 10-under.
Kennedy collected the first place prize cheque of $22,500 and extended his lead at the top of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
FINAL RESULTS
The Players Series Victoria
1. Brad Kennedy -17
2. Elvis Smylie (a) -16
T3. Su Oh -14
T3. Nathan Barbieri -14
T5. Bryden Macpherson -13
T5. Matthew Millar -13
Photo credit: PGA of Australia.
