Deyen Lawson holds on for first Australasian title
Lawson all smiles after his first Australasian Tour victory – photo PGA of Australia
Gold Coast based Victorian Deyen Lawson today won his first PGA Tour of Australasia title with a two shot win over his fellow Gold Coast based professional. Michael Sim. at the WA Open at the West Australian Golf Club.
Beginning the day with a massive eight shot lead, the 31 year old former Victorian would find out that even such a significant lead can be awkward, especially chasing a first victory, as, after extending it to nine early in the round, chinks began to appear in his armour over the closing nine holes.
Two bogeys and a double bogey and a late charge from the former PGA Tour player and leading amateur Sim saw the gap close to two as Lawson stood on the 18th tee. He managed to safely negotiate his way to a par and the two shot win.
The $45,000 winner’s cheque will be a significant boost for Lawson who has been a regular placegetter in Australasian events but until today has not broken through.
“It’s not easy. It never is. I’ve won some smaller events and it’s never easy,” said Lawson, a four-time runner-up on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“Sometimes if you’re that far in front… you try not to have thoughts creep in, but I just kept pushing and pushing.
“Through nine I might have got nine shots ahead and then thought, Now just hang on. Which was not the right thing to do.
“In future I know that if I’ve ever got a good lead I need to just keep pushing until I finish. Really keep firing.
“I’ve seen too many times everywhere in the world, guys let big leads slip. Until it’s in, anything can happen.
“Even the three-and-a-half footer I had on 18, I only had to two-putt but I wanted to make sure I made it so it’s done.”
Sim who played the PGA Tour in 2010 after a stunning season in 2009 on the Korn Ferry Tour in which he won three times, has returned to tournament golf in recent years after taking time out to complete a bridging course with the PGA of Australia.
Sim is a brilliant player at best and his final round of 64 today put the upmost pressure on Lawson as he chased victory in what is effectively Sim’s home Open, Sim having spent much of his earlier life in WA. Sim has, though, won the event previously.
Queensland’s Chris Wood finished alone in third place while brilliant Sydney amateur Jeffrey Guab was 4th.
