MELBOURNE- Rod Pampling parred the third playoff hole while Marcus Fraser bogeyed, giving Pampling his first Australian Masters victory at Huntingale on Sunday.
Both the Australian players parred the first two playoff holes, including a testy 5-footer for Pampling the first time through 18. On the second playoff
hole, it was Fraser who made a 20-footer for par after hitting his approach into a bunker.
Fraser, who shot a final-round 65, and Pampling, who had a 67 Sunday, finished with 12-under totals of 276, three ahead of Robert Allenby, the third round co-leader who closed with a 73.
On the third playoff hole, Fraser's putt from off the green nearly went in. He missed the return putt of about seven feet for par, while Pampling made a three-footer to clinch the 30th anniversary Masters.
"That was a great battle," Pampling said. "It's a great relief. It's been a lot of hard work on the tour."
Last year, Australia's Aaron Baddeley beat Sweden's Daniel Chopra with a par save on the fourth hole of a playoff at Huntingdale.
A regular on the European PGA Tour, Fraser had about a 45-minute wait in the clubhouse after finishing his round. Pampling had a chance to win it outright on 18, but his 25-foot putt for birdie ended up inches short.
Fraser had some anxious moments before the playoff started. His wife, Carlie, who is eight months' pregnant, had to be taken to hospital for observation when she fell ill late in his round.
"I got myself in position to score well on nearly every hole," said Fraser. "It's the best I've played in a while."
Allenby shared the lead with fellow Australian Michael Sim, who shot a 77 and was seven strokes back.
South African Tim Clark was among a group of three tied for fourth after a final-round 67, four shots behind. Clark was tied with Nathan Green of Australia (70) and Alexander Noren of Sweden, who shot 68.
- AP
