Golf: Third career title for Paddison

Gareth Paddison of New Zealand plays a shot. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington golfer Gareth Paddison has converted the lowest round of his career into his third professional title.

The left-hander won the Queensland PGA Championship at Toowoomba's City Golf Club today on the back of a closing round of four-under-par 66.

That left Paddison at 18-under 262 for the PGA of Australasia tournament, two shots clear of Australian pair Kieran Pratt and Terry Pilkadaris, who also shot 66s.

The 30-year-old Paddison's last tournament title came four years ago in the Allianz Open des Volcans - Challenge de France on Europe's secondary Challenge Tour, which he has since left to ply his trade in Asia.

Today's victory owed much to his career low score of eight-under 62 yesterday when he grabbed a lead he refused to relinquish.

He began today with a two-shot buffer on a quartet of Australians, including Pratt, who virtually matched him stroke for stroke before the experienced Pilkadaris popped his head up to close to within one stroke of the New Zealander with three holes to play.

Paddison promptly dropped a shot at the 16th to now share the lead with Pilkadaris, a 37-year-old multiple Asian Tour winner out of Perth, before finishing birdie birdie to sign off in style.

He will bank a cheque worth about $30,000 for his exertions, while compatriot Michael Hendry will also cover his expenses for finishing tied for fifth on minus 14 after carding a 67 today.

*Leading scores after the final round of the $A115,000 ($NZ155,640) Queensland PGA Championship at Toowoomba today (golfers all Australian unless stated):-

262 - Gareth Paddison (NZ) 67 67 62 66
264 - Kieran Pratt 73 63 62 66, Terry Pilkadaris 66 69 63 66
265 - Peter Wilson 64 66 72 63
266 - Michael Hendry (NZ) 66 68 65 67
267 - Jason Norris 68 69 65 65, Kurt Barnes 68 65 66 68
Also

273 - Doug Holloway (NZ) 67 67 71 68
279 - Hamish Robertson (NZ) 66 73 72 68

- NZPA