2007 nab Vic PGA Championship

Rookie professional Ashley Hall has made an immediate impression in the PGA ranks by winning the nab Victorian PGA Championship in a thrilling sudden-death play-off.

Hall came from seven shots behind after three rounds, shooting a four-under par 68 on the final day to go past 15 other contenders and claim the prestigious title.

Hall, 23, from Hampton Park, iced his dramatic victory at the second extra hole by firing a five-iron shot over a lake fronting the 18th green and two-putting for par.

Tristan Lambert, the first round leader, was a frustrated runner-up.

Lambert had his chances but made several costly mistakes under pressure, including two botched bunker shots on the 72nd hole and also in the play-off.

Hall was understandably excited to not only taste success in just his third start as a professional but also to do so with his father, Geoff, performing the caddying duties.

“I’m lost for words,” said Hall, who also won the Australasian PGA Tour School before Christmas.

“I honestly thought I was too far back at the start of the round. I was just trying to move up a few places and then something clicked and I shot four-under on the back nine.”

With his breakthrough win Hall not only improves his bank balance but also adds his name to the trophy alongside major champions Peter Thomson and American Lanny Wadkins.

The key for Hall was his ability to keep bogeys to a minimum while many other contenders were falling apart.

But it is worth noting that Hall and Lambert ended the tournament with a score of 11 under par when the halfway lead was held by Kurt Barnes on 16 under par.

Conditions on the weekend were quite difficult as a strong southerly wind buffeted everyone who survived the 36-hole cut. In fact, several tees on upwind holes were moved forward in order for players to be capable of reach the green in the regulation number of shots. This unseasonable weather pattern however allowed spectators to witness an absorbing struggle as many of the leaders were blown off course.

Rookie professional Andrew Tampion, the 54-hole leader, made a mess of the seemingly straight forward third hole, a par four measuring 342 metres. After seeking a ruling from tournament officials, he eventually putted out for a quadruple-bogey eight.

The young 22-year-old from Dingley tried valiantly to launch a counter-attack but was unable to reproduce the magic, eventually closing with a final round of 77.

Another player considered a title contender before teeing-off in the final round was Beyondblue ambassador Steven Bowditch. But he also self destructed early on taking seven on the par-three second hole and ending up with a 74.

While all this carnage was taking place, the inexperienced Hall made steady progress around the par-72 course designed by Greg Norman. He signalled his intention right from the start with a birdie on the downwind first and added another on the par-five fourth hole.

Despite taking bogeys on the seventh and eight, the VIS scholarship holder rallied on the run home to complete his final nine holes in 32 strokes.

Lambert, who recently lost a play-off for the Queensland Open, had to once again settle for second place.

Another young Victorian Marc Leishman showed plenty of tenacity over the four days of competition with rounds of 72, 67, 70 and 69.

The Von Nida Tour is a series of 11 events held around the nation to give the next wave of up-and-coming stars a decent grounding in 72-hole golf tournaments. The next leg of the VNT is the Victorian Open being staged at Woodlands Golf Club in Melbourne from February 1 - 4.

Source: PGA.org.au