Doug Holloway teeing up but game of life first

Doug Holloway and wife Rebecca are on the road in Queensland with their 4-month-old son, Jack.

It doesn't matter where Doug Holloway tees up in golf he will not ponder what-ifs, even when he returns home empty handed.

"Whether it's a good or bad day, angry or happy day or whatever, you go home to see your family and forget about golf to enjoy life," said Holloway last night after claiming his maiden Mackay Open on Sunday in Queensland.

"It's hard to play golf on the road on your own and enjoy life," said the 32-year-old professional from Te Pohue after beating homeboy and two-time winner Anthony Johnson by two strokes in the A$55,000 ($58,000) tourney, which is part of the PGA Australia Pro-Am Series.

Holloway is following the Sunshine Swing route with wife Rebecca and their 4-month-old son, Jack, in support.

Fatherhood hasn't left much time for him to practice but that didn't place any pressure on a bloke who has been working on the family's Waitara Station farm.

"For the first 10 days it was pretty tough as a dad but now that we're past that [phase] it has been fantastic.

"He's an awesome little man and we're very lucky to have him," said Holloway as they drove to nearby Rockhampton last night to prepare for his next pro-am from Thursday.

The Mackay Open was reduced to 54 holes after inclement weather provided the preamble, as he started with a two-shot lead into the third round tied with other contenders nipping at his heels.

However, Holloway questioned their faith at the par-5 No 10 with an eagle to regain the lead.

He followed that with a birdie on either side of five consecutive pars to sign out at 16-under par.

The victory exorcised a decade-long trips of demons, including four years ago when 23-year club member Johnson shook him off in the last round.

This time Holloway went into the series with no pressure.

"I didn't have too many expectations so I didn't know how good, bad or otherwise I was going to be. If I was going to have a bad day and finish third ...

"There are more greater things in life than golf."

The Mackay Golf Club offered a course resembling a soggy kitchen sponge for the "big one" that somehow always slipped out of the hands of the Queensland Rookie of the Year in 2006.

"It was obviously very wet so we had two-club-length placement, which was very unusual so it made the final day seem a bit longer," said Holloway who hadn't picked up his metal woods, irons and putter much after Jack's arrival.

He hadn't put his game together but this weeks things had clicked on the foundation of patience.

On arriving in Rockhampton about 6pm (NZ time) yesterday, last year's Mondiale New Zealand Order of Merit winner saw ominous signs after the area received 150mm in the previous 48 hours.

"It's clouding over and looking like it'll rain. The river in the centre of the town is pretty full of water."

Holloway, who consults Hastings PGA professional Brian Doyle, of Hastings, will return home on Tuesday next week.

A gracious Johnson said on the PGA website: "It is great to see Doug win, as we are somewhat of the veterans still playing out here on the Sunshine Swing. I know it's a special time when you win in front of your family so I hope he enjoys that moment with Rebecca and Jack over the next few days."

The Sunshine Swing forms part of the PGA series comprising 200 events Australia wide.