Cameron Smith beats Jordan Zunic to win Australian PGA play-off

Image: Queenslander Cameron Smith secured the Australian PGA title in his home state

Home favourite Cameron Smith beat Jordan Zunic in a play-off to claim a dramatic victory at the Australian PGA Championship.

The 24-year-old, in his home state of Queensland at RACV Royal Pines Resort, delighted the crowds by recovering from a bogey on his 72nd hole to get up and down for par twice during the play-off.

A bogey on the second extra trip up the 18th from Zunic handed Smith victory after the two had done battle throughout an enthralling morning on the Gold Coast.

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Australian PGA Championship

Smith entered the final round three shots behind fellow Australian Zunic but had caught his playing partner by the 10th and a birdie on the 17th handed him the initiative with one to play.

A miss from five feet on the final green meant extra holes were needed but Smith held his nerve to claim his first professional solo triumph after winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Swede Jonas Blixt in May.

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Australian Adam Bland finished a shot outside the play-off at 17-under, three shots ahead of countrymen David Bransdon and Marc Leishman.

England's Nathan Kimsey carded a closing 65 to finish at 10-under, four shots clear of Sergio Garcia, who ended the year when he won his first major at the Masters with a 74.

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Image: Nathan Kimsey was the highest English finisher on the Gold Coast

"Neither my mum or dad were there for the win in New Orleans," Smith said. "To be able to win in front of them and in front of other family and friends, and then winning in Queensland, makes it so much more special to me.

"I haven't even had time to process that but it's been a really good year. My goals this year were to win one down here and it's nice to tick that one off.

Image: Masters champion Sergio Garcia completed his stellar year down the leaderboard

"A bit of a grind out there today, waking up early to get away from this rain that mysteriously hasn't come. Yeah, tough day out there and congrats to Jordan as well, he played well."

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