Matthew Stieger kicked off life as a professional in style, winning the NSW PGA Championship by three shots on Sunday to secure a start in next week’s Australian Open.
Having turned professional less than two months ago, the 21-year-old hit a final round 4-under 68 at Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club to finish at 15-under 273 in just his sixth PGA Tour of Australasia tournament.
Daniel Nisbet finished second at 12-under after closing with a 69, Nick Cullen a further shot back in third after a final round 67.
Overnight leader, amateur Callan O’Reilly, had a day he’d rather forget as he slipped back to a tie for sixth after finishing with a 75.
Stieger had planned on trying to pre-qualify for the Australian Open, but will now be able to rest up after firing three birdies over his closing eight holes.
“I don’t have to pre-qualify in the morning which is a massive bonus,” said Stieger, who now has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.
“I was a bit worried about getting into next week and then the PGA.
“Everything was still up in the air for the next year and I didn’t know where I was heading, so to come out with a win just solves a lot of problems.”
With a 7-under 65 Chris Gaunt shot the round of the day to finish at 8-under and in a tie for ninth alongside Craig Hancock and Anthony Summers.