Scott Laycock scored the first tour victory of his seven-year professional career today at the $140,000 Victorian Open in Cranbourne, Australia.
Laycock, 29, fourth in the Australian Open in Melbourne in November, won by three strokes after carding a seven-under 65 in the fourth round to finish on 18-under par 270.
Runner-up Richard Green also finished with a 65 while James McLean, who shot a 64, was a further shot away in third.
"It's unbelievable. Everyone says if you put in the hard work it eventually comes - and it did," Laycock said.
Laycock, who lives near the Cranbourne course, started the final round at 11-under, one behind overnight leader Scott Gardiner, and was not rattled by a bogey-five on the second hole.
Gardiner bogeyed the par-four sixth and slipped away with a 74 to finish on 10-under 278.
The left-handed Green made eight birdies by the 15th hole to draw level with Laycock in the lead.
But Laycock made birdies on the par-five 16th and par-four 17th holes as Green finished par-par-bogey.
"There's no better feeling going down the 18th with a win or a chance of winning," Laycock said.
When he received the trophy he had time to look at some of the names of past winners, who include Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Gary Player.
"To be so close so often, you have to believe it will happen otherwise it never will," said Laycock.
Reuters