Scott Draper Wins 2007 NSW PGA Championship

Proving that giving up the opportunity to coach tennis star Lleyton Hewitt to continue pursuing his golf career was the correct one, Scott Draper has broken through for his first professional golf title.

Winning the NSW PGA Championship at Riverside Oaks, Draper finished the four round event at 20-under-par, one stroke clear of Andrew Bonhomme (QLD) and Aaron Townsend (NSW).

Draper started the day the day four shots behind defending champ Paul Marantz. However he quickly closed the gap with three birdies on the front nine before a spectacular eagle on the par five twelfth hole gave him a share of the lead. Draper then birdied the 15th, and followed this up with three consecutive pars at the tough finishing holes. This was enough to give him the win and his first professional golf championship.

Having one solitary bogey over the 72 holes, Draper proved that he can play controlled and precise golf. “I hit it really solid and controlled my swing and emotions. I was reasonably calm on the home stretch considering it was my first time (in front)” he said at the post round interview. “I’ve been working pretty hard over the last couple of years but I still feel there is more improvement to come”.

Draper will now head to South Australia attempting to pre-qualify for the Jacobs Creek Open, and a possible shot at the Nationwide Tour.