PGA professional Sam Brazel has this week entered his name into the PGA record books by extending his Pro Am winning streak to four by taking out the House of Golf Burrum District Pro Am.
Brazel’s four under par round of 66 has not only added a further $1,800 to the $10,000 in prizemoney he had already won in the past three events, his efforts have also created PGA history.
By winning the Middlemount, Dysart, Glenden and Burrum District Pro Ams on the Queensland Sunshine Tour, Brazel has become the first Australian to win four consecutive tournaments- a feat that is taking some time to sink in.
“I’m just a golf professional from Lismore trying to do my best and I am just lucky that my best has been good enough the last four events,” he said.
In PGA history other players the calibre of Mike Harwood, Jeff Woodland, Tim Wood, Greg Norman, Peter Senior and Robert Allenby have all won three consecutive events, though in the last week Brazel has taken a giant leap forward in what looks to be a promising career.
31 year old Brazel has had an emotional past 12 months after his girlfriend tragically lost her life when she contracted Bacterial Meningitis whilst travelling in Europe last May. At his first win since her passing (at the Anglo American Middlemount Pro Am,) Brazel talked about his journey over the last few months.
“I really don’t know what I would have done without the friends and family that have supported me during this time. There is no doubt I would have ever been able to get back in the winner’s circle without such support.”
By virtue of his recent performances Brazel has also taken the lead in the Callaway Order of Merit jumping three points clear of Andrew Bonhomme. Brazel, who set his sights on the Order of Merit at the start of the year, is happy to be in a good position heading to the busiest part of the year.
“I have been using Callaway equipment for over a year now and it would be great to be able to have the Order of Merit on my CV, knowing that it is the number one goal for many of us during the year.”
There will be great anticipation for a potential fifth consecutive victory, though we will have to wait with the next QLD Sunshine Tour event more than a month away at the Pioneer Valley Pro Am on 14th July.