Peter Lonard wins the Australian PGA for the third time
Peter Lonard won his third Australian PGA title with a three-stroke victory over New Zealand's David Smail on Sunday.
Australia's Lonard, who has won the title three times since 2002, shot a superb seven-under-par 65 at the Hyatt Coolum course on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to finish on 20-under-par 268.
Smail, who shot a final round 68, finished on 271 while Greg Chalmers, Scott Laycock and Michael Sim were tied for third a further two shots back.
The 40-year-old Lonard, who started one shot behind third-round leader Rory Sabbatini, birdied four of his first five holes to storm into the lead.
He added three more birdies on the back nine to cement the lead that was never really challenged.
South African Sabbatini, who kept pace with Lonard until the turn, fell away on the back nine, recording five bogeys and was unable to break par on the other four holes of the run home to shoot a two-over 74 and drop to a tie for 10th on 12-under 276.
Last year's champion Nick O'Hern, who beat Lonard in a thrilling four-hole playoff for the title, shot an even-par 72 to finish tied for 20th on nine under.
268 Peter Lonard 66 69 68 65
271 David Smail (Nzl) 67 69 67 68
273 Scott Laycock 69 67 71 66, Michael Sim 65 73 65 70, Greg Chalmers 72 70 66 65
274 Adam Bland 68 70 65 71, Adam Scott 67 67 72 68
275 Nathan Green 71 69 71 64, Richard Green 66 74 66 69