Words: Paul Prendergast.
Photo: PGA of Australia.
It started with four, then there were two. It then took five consecutive birdies at the Moonah Links Open Course’s 18th hole for Victoria’s Andrew Martin to finally prevail in an epic playoff performance to claim the 2022 Victorian PGA Championship over a gallant Lincoln Tighe.
Earlier, a dreaded shank from the short greenside bunker on the 72nd hole by Tighe led to a bogey and a four-way tie for first place at nine-under par with overnight leader Adam Bland, resurgent Victorian Brett Coletta and Martin.
Bland and Coletta’s pars at the first playoff hole were bested by birdies by Martin and Tighe, leaving the ‘David and Goliath’ pair to stage a magnificent battle for the title over the next hour.
“That hole (the par-five 18th) actually really doesn’t suit me. I don’t have Linc’s length,” Martin said, before belying any suggestion of a lack of confidence by repeatedly burying lengthy birdie putts when it appeared Tighe had the upper hand after consistently hitting iron shots into the green after thunderous tee shots.
It wasn’t until the 5th playoff hole that Martin finally found the green in two shots while Tighe’s approach was pulled into the same bunker from where disaster had struck on the 72nd hole.
From well over 50 feet, Martin flirted with holing out yet again with the putt slipping a foot by the hole. Tighe’s explosion was well played but failed to grip and left him a downhill birdie attempt from outside 10 feet to extend the playoff to a 6th hole.
For once in an impeccable final day putting performance, Tighe’s attempt slid below the hole leaving Martin with a tap-in to claim his second win on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and the lead in the early going in the season’s Order of Merit race.
Martin was obviously thrilled with his performance but equally effusive in his praise for the 33-year old from Wollongong’s play in the playoff, with Tighe vanquished despite shooting four-under par for the five playoff holes.
“I don’t think I’ve seen five drives off 18 like that since I’ve been coming down here to play. That was pretty impressive by Lincoln and he definitely had a good week,” Martin said.
“I played very well and the putter was definitely hot. It’s amazing to get the win.”
The PGA Tour of Australasia now moves on to the Queensland PGA Championship at the Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane.
