Michael Bullen has overcome Gavin Fairfax in sudden-death to claim the $60,000 National Futures Championship.
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The British golfer sunk an eagle on the fifth hole of a five-hole playoff to clinch the tournament crown at the Ballarat Golf Club on Friday.
It followed a thrilling day of action which saw the Englishman finish three-under par 68 to draw even with Fairfax at the top of the leaderboard.
"I didn't really know exactly where I was, but I had a good idea I was up there because a lot of people started to gather around me," he said.
"I wasn't under too much pressure because I had two shots to win and I ended up making a perfect put to get the eagle."
Bullen entered the day four strokes off the lead and got down by as many as six, before he produced four birdies on the back nine - two of which came in succession.
It was enough to close in on the leaders, many of who struggled in the windy conditions.
I didn't really know exactly where I was, but I had a good idea I was up there because a lot of people started to gather around me.
- Michael Bullen
Bullen said the weather aided his comeback.
"I needed the weather to be good enough to still pose a good score, but bad enough that some of the leaders dropped off and that's what happened - the guys at the top struggled and I played well," he said.
Fraser Droop and Ethan Andrews, who entered the day with a one-stroke lead, both struggled in the conditions.
Andrews produced four bogeys to finish on 75, while 2017 tournament champion Droop walked off the green three-over par.
Queensland's Cooper Eccleston bounced back from a tough day three to produce six birdies before a double bogeye on the 14th dropped him out of contention.
He finished the tournament third behind Fairfax who claimed the runners-up trophy.
Fairfax expressed disappointment over his playoff loss but was happy to finish atop the leaderboard.
"I was just trying to chip away and found out on the 18th tee that I was tied for the leader," he said.
"It's a bit devastating losing the playoff but I didn't really expect to be in there."
Ballarat's Travis Tatt finished the tournament 10 strokes back from the pacesetters.
The win marked the first overseas victory for Bullen who qualified for the event after winning the English National Trainee Championship.
He said it was exciting to get his first taste of success abroad.
