2006 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship - Day 4

So we come to the final hole, Nick O’Hern just has to tap in this three footer and the PGA Championship is his. Camera pans to O’Hern’s wife, and is that Jeff Kennett next o her? Sure looks like it, but what is he doing supporting a Sandgroper?

O’Hern lines up the putt, and…. he’s missed???? What the? Now he has a tricky downhill two footer. OK, he’s sunk that. Play off time between Peter Lonard and Nick O’Hern.

18th tee and Lonard hits off first. Long drive down the right. It’s in the fairway bunker. O’Hern plays safely on the fairway. You would have to say advantage O’Hern here. Lonard hits out of the bunker and the ball flies to the back left of the green. Tricky putting from there. O’Hern plays his second. He’s way short of the flag, at least an extra club needed there. Hmm, both players have 2 putted.

Back to the 18th tee - second playoff. Again Lonard just misses the fairway bunker but is in the first cut of rough. O’Hern is safely on the fairway. Lonard’s second is a flyer and end up in the back bunker. O’Hern hits a better second and ends up in the middle of the green. Beautiful bunker shot by Lonard to within five feet and he one puts. O’Hern two putts and we’re off to the 18th again.

Lucky they started the fourth round earlier this year just in case there was this situation…

18th Tee - third playoff. O’Hern finds the fairway bunker this time (adrenaline must be pumping), and Lonard takes a 3 wood and puts his ball nicely on the fairway. Advantage Lonard. H’mm not really as both players end up on the green and two putting.

Someone please step up and win this thing!

18th tee - fourth playoff. Lonard right hand rough, O’Hern on the fairway. You would think O’Hern would have this second shot distance dialled in by now. Nope, he’s hit it long into the back bunker. Oh, so too has Lonard. O’Hern to play first - lovely chip out, lands 25 feet from the hole and starts rolling, and rolling and, what’s this? Couldn’t be! It is! It’s in the hole!!!!

Only one option for Lonard - sink his bunker shot too and keep this alive. Nope couldn’t do it.

Nick O’Hern wins the 2006 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship, takes the $216,000 first prize and wins the Australian Order of Merit.

This is O’Herns’ first professional win since, funnily enough, the Schweppes Coolum Classic seven years ago.

Of course everyone now expects him to win a major next year…