Strong squally weather meant players hadto be at their best to tackle the Murrumbidgee Country Club layout at the Furphy Murrumbidgee Ladbrokes Pro-Am.

Victorian Rory Bourke was the leader following the opening round, and despite struggling with his game he shot an impressive 3-under 69 to take a one shot lead into the final round.

With eight players within two shots of the lead after the first round it was hard to picka winner.

Simon Hawkes prevailed with rounds of 70 and 68 for a two round total of 6-under 138..

Hawkes has a new found confidence after winning the Oates Vic Open earlier this year after stepping up to the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia from the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series.

“I drove it really well and left my ball in good spots which was important in the windy conditions. I only dropped two shots over the two days which went a long way to my victory,” said Hawkes.

Western Australian Simon Houston, who took up the Head Professional role at Forbes Golf Club in country NSW recently, was a gallant runner-up.

His scores of 71 and 69 saw him finish at 4-under the card  and was even more impressive given the last pro-am he played was almost a year ago.

Overnight leader Rory Bourke finished tied third with Nathan Green and Matthew Millar at 2-under the card.

The Furphy Murrumbidgee Ladbrokes Pro-Am completes the ACT swing of the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series.