AUSTRALIAN Nathan Holman overcame a double bogey start and a bogey-bogey finish to win the Australian PGA at Royal Pines on Sunday in a playoff over American Harold Varner 111, and South African Dylan Frittelli.

    But it was the three-way bonus that was the icing on the cake — a start in next year’s British Open at Royal Troon, and the Bridgestone Invitational, as well as securing his European Tour card.

    The final day started with Varner, Frittelli, and another South African Zander Lombard sharing the lead at 3-under, Holman at 1-under, with Swede David Lingmerth and Australian Matthew Millar on even par.

    Varner bogeyed 2, 3, 10, and 15 with a birdie at 12 for his 75 — and even par. Frittelli was 5-over after seven, but a birdie before the turn, and two birdies and a bogey on the way home for his 75 — and even par.

    Holman’s bad start and finish book-ended three birdies for his 73 — and even par.

    Lombard fell off the pace early with four bogeys and a birdie going out, and two bogeys with a birdie on the way home for his 76 — and 1-over.

    Unfortunately for Lingmerth and Millar, they saved their worst rounds until last, ending their campaign.

    But two Australians — the 22-year-old Cameron Smith, and the 44-year-old leftie Richard Green, both had a sniff of victory but bogeyed at critical times.

    In the play-off, Holman found the 18th green in regulation, but both Varner and Fritelli missed and ended up with bogey fives, to Holman’s par.

    That was the second successive three-way playoff for the Australian PGA. Last year Greg Chalmers beat Adam Scott at the marathon seventh playoff hole, after Wade Ormsby bowed out.

    (SD-Agencies)