Simon Hawkes has yet to digest just how different his golfing life will be after holding off fellow Australian Harrison Endycott in a sudden-death playoff for the unlikeliest of Vic Open wins.
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But he knows the changes will be significant - beginning with his bank balance.
Until Sunday, the biggest cheque Hawkes had made was $4,500 for winning a pro-am in Ballarat earlier this year.
Victory in the Vic Open was worth a cool $117,000 - along with full exemption on the Australasian Tour until the end of 2020.
"It means I have a job for the next few years," said the 28-year-old Hawkes.
"I don't think I've made more than 30 grand since leaving school and that was probably 10 years ago.
"But I guess it's just a number on a computer screen really.
"It's not like I'm going to take it all out and sit with it in the bathtub."
The little-known Tasmanian equalled the 13th Beach course record with an eight-under 64 on Saturday, meaning he took a one-shot lead into the final round.
A couple of early birdies on Sunday helped settle the nerves, with two more birdies in the closing four holes allowing Hawkes to sign for a 68 and getting him into the playoff with Endycott (66) after both finished on 14-under 274.
The pair hit their second shots into the same greenside bunker on the first playoff hole and then had similar putts.
Endycott missed his birdie attempt, Hawkes drained his effort and the title was in his keeping.
"I just pipped him in the playoff really," said Hawkes.
"That putt probably could have gone either way, with me making and him missing or (the other way around).
"It doesn't really feel like I'm a different golfer than when I rocked up on Monday.
"When I was leading going into the last round I thought it was in my control - I had the chance to manifest it if I wanted it.
"That's how the cards fell for me today."
Fellow Australians Cory Crawford (69) and Anthony Quayle (68) tied for third on 277.
