Curlewis golfer secures first PGA win at WA Open

CURLEWIS golfer Deyen Lawson remained composed on the final hole of the Nexus Advisernet WA Open in Perth earlier today to claim the first PGA Tour victory of his career, edging out fellow Australian Michael Sim (64) by two shots.

Lawson (71) wobbled toward the end of his fourth round, but his eight-shot advantage prior to the start of the fourth day was enough to secure victory at The West Australian Golf Club finishing the day one-over par.

“It hasn’t really sunken in yet,” Lawson said following the win.

“Obviously, I was trying to push really hard and then with about eight holes to go, I thought I’d just try and hold on.

“But it just doesn’t work to try and hold on, I had spoken to my coach before that I’d like to get into a position where I can sort of gas it and still get it done, but it would have been nicer to have that nice shot lead at the last few holes, but it’s all about now so I’m very excited.”

A four-time runner-up on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, the 31-year-old outlasted pairings second-year professional Lawry Flynn (70) and amateur star Jeffrey Guan (68).

“It’s absolutely awesome,” Lawson added.

“It’s always good to win and I knew Simmy was going to push me all the way to the end, like he always does, he’s such a great player.

“But, yeah it’s great to get over the line.”

New Zealander Christopher Wood acquired third place with a final score of 16-under, while fellow Kiwi Ieremia Denzel secured a tie for fifth.

Lawson’s final round was anything but straight-forward, attaining a score of 3-under through 11 holes, but a bogey on the 12th, 14th and 17th, as well as a double-bogey on the 16th reduced the final deficit to a pair of shots.