Gillespie a shot away

Ex-pat Wanganui golfer Nick Gillespie was runnerup at the Western Australia PGA Championship. PHOTO/FILE

Expat Wanganui golfer Nick Gillespie came within a shot of winning the Western Australia PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie yesterday, finishing runnerup after a playoff with Australian Jack Wilson.

The 25-year-old Gillespie, now with the Royal Wellington Club, had been searching for his first win since claiming the Shirley Open in 2011 on The Charles Tour.

Gillespie carded a three-under par 69 in the final round on the par 72 Kalgoorlie course to finish on a 10-under par total, level with Wilson, a PGA Trainee Professional.

However, Wilson would claim the title on the first hole of the playoff. Gillespie shot rounds of 69, 67, 73 and 69 for a strong showing in a good-quality field.

He handled the pressure superbly in the final round with four birdies and a bogey to come from behind and force extra holes.

Kieran Muir was the next best of the Kiwis when he carded a two-under par 70 in the final round to finish in a share of 13th place.

Tauranga pro Josh Geary, who Gillespie had finished behind in sixth when Geary won the Carrus Open last week on The Charles Tour, signed for a four-over par 76 in the final round to slip back to tied 20th, alongside 2003 NZ Open Champion Mahal Pearce.

The PGA Tour of Australasia now moves to Perth and Mt Lawley Golf Course for the Western Australia Open Championship to be played from October 10-13.