Unheralded Australian Daniel Popovic has captured the Australian PGA Championship.

The 26-year old Victorian born Popovic led from start to finish to win his inaugural pro career tournament.

Popovic carded a final round 69 to win by four shots with a 16-under par tally.

However Popovic, currently ranked 1,251st in the world, was virtually handed the prestigous title when fellow Australian and double PGA Tour winner, Rod Pampling self-destructed down the last three holes.

Daniel Popovic plants a kiss on the Joe Kirkwood trophy after his four stroke success in the Australian PGA. (Photo – Anthony Powter/www.golffile.ie)

Pampling had moved two strokes clear of Popovic after posting six birdies in succession to commence his round but ended bogey, bogey and then double bogey in a score of 69 for an eventual share of second place on 12-under par with fellow Aussie Anthony Brown (71).

As former US PGA champion and TV commentator, Wayne Grady mentioned on air:  “Pampling went out in a Rolls Royce but came home in an ambulance”.

The Australian PGA was first staged in 1897 and Popovic now joins some of the greats of the game to win the event including:  Norman Von Nida, Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Wayne Grady, Ian Baker-Finch, Robert Allenby, Peter Senior and Geoff Ogilvy.

“I just can’t believe this has happened,” said Popovic in being handed the famed Joe Kirkwood Cup.

“I made a couple of stupid mistakes early on today but thanks to the crowd they helped carry home and it’s just amazing to be standing here now as the Australian PGA champion.”

Drawing inspiration from his father’s battle with cancer, Popovic said he now can’t wait to return home to Melbourne and his family.

“That is the difference because of my father, that is the difference as to why I am so confident and do back myself and do push myself so hard on the golf course now,” he said.

“For him it’s going to be a relief and he said he is so proud of me and so is my mum, they have all their friends over there, he is going to be over the moon and I cannot wait to give him a big bear hug.

“We are going to have a pretty big party I think when we get back.”

Former Open Champion Darren Clarke ended his season on a high posting a final round 68 to finish in a nine-way share of eighth place on nine under par.

It is the 44-year old Clarke’s best finish and his first top-1o since capturing the 2010 Open Championship.