European Tour Member Peter Lonard captured his third tournament in as many weeks when a stunning final round 65 gave him a two stroke victory in the Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA at Hyatt Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.
An overall score of 18 under par 270 left him two clear of rookie James Nitties, playing his only fourth event as a professional, who collected his biggest cheque after a par saving putt saw him finish runner-up on his own at 16 under par.
In successive weeks, Lonard has won the NSW Open, last week's Centenary Australian Open and now the Australian PGA Championship with the best score of the day, a seven under par 65. The 37 year old tied with Jarrod Moseley in 2002, but this year he claimed the $180,000 first prize outright.
Sunday's round included five birdies in six holes from the seventh and then he picked up another shot on the 16th to clinch the title as he opened a two-stroke lead over his rivals.
Lonard then had to wait in the clubhouse for the players behind him to finish, but the result was never in doubt as the forecast showers finally hit the course in the closing stages.
American Bob Estes bogeyed the final hole to finish third at 15 under par with countryman Corey Pavin and Aussie left-hander Nick O'Hern, another European Tour Member, a further shot back in a tie for fourth.
