Matt Guyatt triumphs by one at the NSW PGA Championship after an epic day of golf at the Wollongong Golf Club.
Entering into the final round were nine players all in contention to take out the title and it stayed crowded at the top of the leaderboard all day.
Matt Guyatt shot an 8-under 62, the round of the day, and walked off the 18thgreen as clubhouse leader.
But with a number of players still on course and in contention, including Andre Stolz, Peter O’Malley, Kurt Barnes and overnight leader James McLean it was a nervous wait for Guyatt.
Guyatt passed the time hitting balls to stay warm and keep the nerves in check.
“It honestly felt like time was standing still during that wait, I have never wanted time to pass quicker.”
With McLean birding two of his last four holes he headed into 18thtied for the lead with Guyatt, making a playoff likely, but anxiety got the best of McLean and he made bogey to hand the win to Guyatt.
The win, his first, was long overdue for Guyatt, who turned professional in 1999 before taking a five year hiatus from the game and returning to undertake a PGA Traineeship at Indooroopilly Golf Club from 2006 to 2008 then returning to tournament golf in June last year.
With a lot on the line Guyatt would be forgiven for feeling the pressure yet he says he kept calm.
“I felt quite calm during my round for most of the time, the final four holes were a pretty nervous time but I felt pretty calm.
“I just went through my routines of breathing and calming myself down; everything worked seemed to works so its nice to know that I can do it under the pump down the stretch.”
“It was a huge relief to know that the hard work has paid off, it was just such a relief.
A clearly emotional winner, Guyatt, dedicated his win to God, his wife and coach.
“The number one thing for me is that I am a committed Christian so I thank God for giving me the opportunity to have a career that I love.
“Obviously to my wife for supporting me she has been amazing.
“Also my coach, Richard Harris, who has stuck by me for many years through the good and the bad; this is very exciting for both of us.”
With this win Guyatt takes home AUD$15,000 in prizemoney but more importantly he has earned a place in the field for next week’s Emirates Australian Open.
Guyatt’s plan had been to head to Tour School in Japan, the Sunday of the Open, but an opportunity to play alongside the likes of Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Greg Norman could be too good to pass.
“Obviously I would love to play as its going to be one of the best fields in the history of Australian golf, but I need to chat to my wife Rachel first and see what we are going to be able to come up with.
“The Open then heading to Tour School would make it five weeks away from the family which is tough.”
Showing just how hotly contested the NSW PGA Championship was; a group of four players including James McLean, Peter O’Malley, Kurt Barnes and Andre Stolz all finished tied second on 12-under-par.
First round co-leader Jake Higginbottom finished top amateur for the tournament at 6-under-par.
For the final round leaderboard click here
Along with the Emirates Australian Open, Guyatt has also earned guaranteed starts in the country’s biggest events including the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, BMW NZ Open hosted by Christchurch and the JBWere Masters.
The PGA Tour of Australasia now heads to The Lakes for the Emirates Australian Open to be contested from November 10 – 13.
For the full 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule visit itsgolfseason.com.au