Millar claims victory at Natadola Bay - PGA of Australia

Millar claims victory at Natadola Bay


Matthew Millar has won the Qantas Golf Club Fiji Teams Challenge for the second time with rounds of 68, 68, 68 for a tournament total 12-under par 204.

Matthew Millar has won the Qantas Golf Club Fiji Teams Challenge for the second time with rounds of 68, 68, 68 for a tournament total 12-under par 204.

""Millar played consistent golf over the three rounds around the challenging Natadola Bay layout to claim victory by three shots over Queensland Professional Brett Rankin.

The ACT based Professional Millar exacted his revenge on the course after a disappointing Fiji International which saw him fail to make the cut and consequently have the weekend off.

He cast aside any disappointment by firing three solid rounds of golf in difficult conditions to claim this year’s title.

“I didn’t really play any better this week than I did during the Fiji International,” said Millar.

“I just didn’t get any bad breaks or bounces, the ball just went in the hole this week.

“This place can really wear you down in the wind, eventually you will miss a green, fortunately for me I was able to make the up and downs to save par most of the time.”

Millar’s round today included five birdies coming at the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th,  and 17th holes his only blemish was on the difficult 2nd hole which played straight into a strong head wind resulting in a bogey.

“I putted really well all week, I felt like I didn’t miss anything inside six feet until my last hole of the day which was the 2nd where I missed a six footer to save my par, which was a shame.”

Brett Rankin has fired the low score of the event today a 7-under par 65 to finish three shots off the pace in second position on 9-under par 207.

Rankin’s round included eight birdies coming at the 1st, 5th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes along with an eagle on the 480m uphill par 5, 6th hole.

“I started my round today birdie, birdie, eagle which gave me such a confidence boost,” said Rankin.

“I hit the ball really well off the tee today, I didn’t miss a fairway and I hit a lot of greens which gave me many birdie opportunities.

“I just found a way to get the ball in the hole, I had a chip in and my putting was great, that made all the difference in terms of my scoring.”

Steven Jeffress who was running second for the first two rounds has finished in third position with a 7-under par total for the event.

The next best placed professional is Mark Brown from New Zealand who finished on a 2-under total followed by Brad Moules and Jack Wilson both on 1-under par totals to round out the top-5 places.

The Qantas Golf Club Fiji Teams Challenge forms part of the Ladbrokes PGA Pro-Am Series.


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