New Victorian PGA Championship titleholder David McKenzie with his wife Mai and the Jack Harris Cup at Creswick's Forest Resort. Photo: Lachlan Bence
DAVID McKenzie has won his first title on the Australasian PGA Tour.
The Melbourne 45-year-old broke through in the $130,000 Turner Plumbing Victorian PGA Championship at Creswick's Forest Resort yesterday.
McKenzie, who turned professional in 1990, took the title by two shots from fellow Victorian veteran Scott Laycock.
McKenzie shot a fourth round two-under par 70 to finish with a 13-under part 275.
Laycock finished two shots back after shooting a four-under 68 last round.
McKenzie set up the victory on Saturday, when he equalled the course record of 65.
This gave him a four-stroke lead over Laycock and Matt Griffin.
Griffin could do no better than a par 72 yesterday, which dropped him fourth on seven-under.
Stephen Dartnall, who was joint leader after two rounds, back bounced back from a disappointing third round to shoot a 70 yesterday and finish third on eight-under.
It was an emotional McKenzie who held the Jack Harris Cup aloft on the 18th green - a stark contrast to the subdued manner he showed after what turned out to a tournament-winning round.
He was close to tears as he thanked his wife Mai, and parents Neil and Barbara for their long-time support.
McKenzie also paid tribute to friend, golf physiotherapist and golf specific trainer Ramsay McMaster, who died in December 2011.
McKenzie said McMaster's unexpected death left without any desire to play golf for about six months, even though he did play on.
TOP 20
1 David McKenzie -13
2 Scott Laycock -11
3 Stephen Dartnall -8
4 Matthew Griffin -7
5 John Wade -6
T6 Daniel Nisbet -5
T6 Matthew Millar -5
T8 Andre Stolz -4
T8 Michael Foster -4
10 Rohan Blizard -3
T11 Anthony Summers -2
T11 Josh Younger -2
T11 Michael Choi -2
T14 Ashley Hall -1
T14 Aaron Townsend -1
T14 Paul Gow -1
T17 Michael Long even
T17 Gareth Paddison even
T19 Nathan Holman 1
T19 Chris Gaunt 1
T19 Michael Wright 1
T19 Anthony Brown 1
