Bonhomme claims WA PGA - Kiwi Robertson Runner-up

Hamish Robertson

A birdie on the final hole has given Queenslander Andrew Bonhomme victory in the 2009 Laurance Scrap Metals WA PGA Championship at Bunbury Golf Club earlier today.

As others capitulated it was Bonhomme who charged home with four straight birdies to secure his first win of the year.

After rounds of 70, 72 and 70 on the first three days, Bonhomme’s putter finally produced when it mattered.

“I hung in with a lot of good shots but nothing seemed to drop for me until the final few holes,” he said. “I was really proud of myself and the way I hung in mentally when things weren’t going my way. You become more accepting of yourself when you get older and that has been one of my strengths over the last few years.”

After a disappointing year in the US, Bonhomme was thrilled to be back in the winner’s circle the again. “I broke my hand a couple of years ago and have now lost my status everywhere other than in Australia,” he said. “I came back for the US Nationwide Tour a few weeks ago - broke and hurting.“I have struggled for the last two years, trying to make something of the season while trying to get to the US PGA Tour, but it hasn’t gone very well.”

Having spent a lot of time away from his family on the Sunshine Coast this year, Bonhomme will be guaranteed a start in all three Australian events including the JB Were Masters in Melbourne in two weeks time against Tiger Woods.

Bonhomme was preparing for a play-off when overnight leader, Hamish Robertson of New Zealand, missed the easiest of putts on the final hole to hand the Queensland father-of-two outright victory.

Robertson’s fate was in his own hands at seven-under heading up the 18th but found trouble when his second shot landed in the greenside bunker.

The 29-year-old had been brilliant out of the trap all week and again delivered when his third shot rolled within a half-a-metre of the pin - to set up a straight forward par.

But the pressure got to him and he pushed the ball wide of the hole to tie for second with Victorian David Diaz at six-under.

“I could not have asked for an easier putt – it was a shame I could not find the hole,” he said. “The bunker shot was a lot harder, but my bunker play has been great all week, and I felt confident I could get close enough to make par.”

Robertson said there was a lot riding on the win and he allowed the pressure to get to him. “I was desperate to pick up the major share of the prize-money and earn myself a start in the three big Australasian Tour event of the year,” he said. He will take some consolation with his AUD$9,000 cheque.

Just two shots separated the top five players, with anyone of a dozen players, capable of winning the tournament on the final day.

WA Open winner Michael Curtain joined Scott Laycock at five-under while Adam Crawford and Andre Stolz finished at four-under the card.