Brad Kennedy has waited 16 years but he’s finally claimed victory on ‘home’ soil in capturing the 2013 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship in Toowoomba.
Kennedy, 38 won a 10th pro career win by two shots from Kiwi Michael Hendry with an 18-under 254.
“It’s been great, I came up here with not much expectation but the things I have been doing mentally and physically have got me through,” said Kennedy.
Brad Kennedy with the Queensland PGA Championship trophy.
Kennedy started the round a shot behind Hendry and spent the round going head-to-head with the Kiwi.
“I got off to a bad start, I was three back after six holes but I just kept hanging in there making a few birdies,” added Kennedy who headed to the 18th tied with Hendry.
“Coming up the last, you are playing a tough hole but that is what we play for, to be able to hit a perfect shot down there.”
“It went a lot further than my normal distance but to stand up there, hit a good six iron and then hole the putt is something that will stay in the memory bank for a while.”
“A birdie on the last is the perfect ending to a great week.”
This is the first time Kennedy has claimed his state PGA title, making it his third victory on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“I have been a Pro for nearly 16 years now, I did my Traineeship, have been a Club Pro and done all that, so to win a QLD PGA is great.”
“I came close five or six years ago so it’s great to get another trophy in the cabinet,” added Kennedy.
The Queensland PGA was first contested in 1926 and Kennedy now joins some of the greats of Australian golf in capturing the title with former winner’s including – David Graham (1967), Greg Norman (1979), Ian Baker-Finch (1984) and Peter Senior (2010).
Victory is now a great springboard for Kennedy ahead of the start of the 2013 Japan Golf Tour and in a year he will defend in June his Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open title.
“I have another few months off before Japan starts so I am just going to get back to practicing,” said Kennedy.
“Japan is going to be a long season I will need to be physically and mentally ready.”
“I guess my coach is going to make me train harder now to not let me rest up on a win.”
A bogey on the last was costly for Michael Hendry who finished his Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship at 16-under 256. Hendry will now focus his attention on defending his NZ PGA Championship title in two weeks time.
Finishing in outright third on 14-under the card was New South Welshman Anthony Summers while the leading amateur Cameron Smith finished a shot further behind.
Rounding out the top-5 on 12-under 260 were Ryan McCarthy (TAS), Scott Laycock (VIC), Rohan Blizard (NSW) and Michael Hendry (NZ).
