Geoff Ogilvy (AFP)
Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy won his first Australian tournament in style with a two-stroke win in the 1.5-million-dollar (970,000-US) Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Australian (67-71-67-69) produced a flawless final round to finish at 14-under 274 to beat compatriot Mathew Goggin in the oldest tournament in Australian golf.
Despite beating Phil Mickelson to win the 2006 US Open, Ogilvy has been unable to win at home.
"It's nice. I don't have to answer any more of those questions," Ogilvy said.
"It's a pretty good week for me and it feels like it's been a long time coming in Australia."
Asked what significance his breakthrough win in Australia holds in the context of his career, the world No.14 said: "It's a pretty nice trophy, there's some pretty solid names on this one.
"It's one of our most historic trophies, it's been going since 1929 and the tournament's been going longer than that (1905)."
Ogilvy's bogey-free final round capped an impressive weekend that included a single blemish at the 16th hole on Saturday.
But it was despair for runner-up Goggin, who stumbled after leading by three shots and finished at 12-under 276.
"It feels disappointing really," said Goggin, whose championship challenge ended when a badly hooked fairway wood found the water at the 15th hole.
"It was a stupid shot," he said. "I had a great opportunity and just threw it away.
"Geoff doesn't back down, he hits good quality, aggressive shots to win."
Veteran Peter Senior, the 1989 and 2003 champion, drew to within a stroke of the lead late in his round but a bogey at the last saw him finish with a 69, level with Scott Strange and last week's Australian Masters champion Rod Pampling.
"I'm stoked," said 49-year-old Senior, who is setting himself for a tilt at the US Seniors tour next year.
"I felt the juices flowing down the stretch, I'm really excited about my game."
© 2008 AFP/sid
