Australia’s Steve Bowditch has made a brilliant start to the new US PGA Tour season, charging to second place in the Frys.com Open in Napa, California.

Starting the final round eight shots from the lead, Bowditch shot a blistering five-under-par back nine of 31 to record a closing five-under 67 and threaten for a second US tour title.

However faltering overnight leader Bae Sang-Moon of South Korea hung on to win by two shots at 15-under despite carding a final round 73.

Bowditch, who scored a breakthrough victory at the Texas Open in March, had three birdies in his back nine, including the 18th plus an eagle three at the 16th.

Australian veteran Robert Allenby is also off to a flying start after some difficult years, finishing tied eighth at 11-under.

But the best Australian fightback story belongs to Jarrod Lyle (70) who finished tied 31st on his return to the tour after battling leukaemia for a second time.