Golf: Paddison wins Victorian PGA Championship

Gareth Paddison. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand professional Gareth Paddison has claimed victory at the Victorian PGA Championship at Forest Resort Creswick.

Heading into yesterday's final round with a three-shot lead, Paddison shot four birdies, four bogeys and a triple bogey on the 13th to be three over for the day, and post a tournament total of seven-under 277.

"It was a very patient round, I got a little unlucky I felt on 13," said Paddison. I wasn't really doing much wrong, I felt that after I made triple, well I'm still one up, but proceeded to drop a shot on 15, then made a bad swing on 16 and 18 and unfortunately dropped two shots.

"It was a real dogfight in the end to cross the finish line I am just glad that I did it and you know you can put it all down to experience I guess, it was really encouraging sign that I can still finish off a tournament."

A relieved Paddison walked off the 18th green the victor by a stroke from Victoria's Leighton Lyle.

"Relief would be the only word to describe how I was feeling at the last, just because of how many shots I had dropped and because it really wasn't a true reflection on how I felt I played, so it was just nice to cross the line.

"At the end of the day a win is a win, you only need to get there by one shot and so it was very satisfying."

Playing in the second last group Lyle posted a six under 276 and watched from the clubhouse as the final group's lead diminished eventually leaving him the runner up.

Second-round leader James McLean was the hard luck story of the tournament. He was just behind Paddison all day but went on to post a seven on the final hole to finish four under the card and tied seventh.

"I was fortunate that James dropped shots at the same time I did especially on 15 and 16 because that could have turned the game around," added Paddison.

"It was just a shame that he finished off the way he did, obviously I feel for another golfer that's in a good position to not even come second when he was there all day.

"Admittedly he played better than he scored but it's only a matter of time before James wins on the Aussie tour or wherever he plays."

Finishing tied for third at the Victorian PGA Championship were Marcus Cain, Peter O'Malley, Andre Stolz and David McKenzie on five under.

Paddison now looks forward to next week where he will head to Toowoomba, as defending champion for the Queensland PGA Championship.

"It will be nice to defend my title in Toowoomba now that I am also the Vic PGA Champion it will be nice to get up there."