Spain’s David Puig claimed the Australian PGA Championship title as the Royal Queensland Golf Club welcomed stars from around the world to Hamilton.
The stars needed their A game to tackle Royal Queensland’s courses, as defending champion Elvis Smylie found the water on day 2, while heavyweight Cameron Smith negotiated the unsympathetic putting greens.
Smith’s lacklustre run of form continued as he exited the tournament at the midway point after missing out on the cut for Day 3.
“I think it’s all in my head,” the Queenslander admitted.
While Smith struggled, David Puig became the first Spaniard to win the competition in 44 years, edging out Day 2 top performer and Australian, Min Woo Lee, by just four shots.
Elsewhere, another Australian, Adam Smith, missed out on the title by five strokes.
It was a course where every stroke was vital, as the 17th hole spiced up the course with a fairway made of more sand than grass, surrounded on all four sides by stands packed with golf enthusiasts.
The tournament was blessed with weather typical of a late November in Queensland, the Gateway Bridge providing a classic backdrop for the tournament once the Day 1 rain dissipated.
Photography: Nate Priebbenow
