Teenage left-hander Julian Reynolds is the winner of the 2005 PGA Futures Championship after making a stunning birdie on the final hole at Sandhurst Club.

The first year trainee professional from Sydney set up the heroic finish by rifling a sand-iron approach to within the shadow of the flagstick.

His final round 72 for a total of 290 –two over par – earned the 19-year-old a pay cheque of $8100. And some of that prize money has been allocated to fixing a radiator hose on his car before heading home along the Hume Highway tomorrow morning.

But winning the prestigious national championship also gives Reynolds the added bonus of direct entry into the 2006 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship at Hyatt Coolum and the USPGA Assistant Championship.

Equally importantly, he also added his name to the trophy alongside the likes of current USPGA Tour players Rod Pampling, Euan Walters and Andre Stolz.

"This is another big step forward in my career," Reynolds said. "I played probably my best round of the week. I lost it a bit near the end of the front nine but regrouped in time to get the round back on track."

Reynolds iced the tournament with his brave birdie on the final green, but also made another on the par five 11th hole to cover the final nine holes in just 34 strokes.

Spectators enjoying the final round action witnessed an absorbing battle between several players with many lead changes taking place.

Another Sydneysider Greg Green eventually finished outright second, although he almost forced a play-off from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole. Green demonstrated admirable consistency over the four days with rounds of 73, 73, 72 and 73.

One shot further back on 292 was Ben Manderson (NSW), with the Victorian duo of Tim Wise and Roland Baglin finishing joint fourth.

For the second year running Baglin took a lead into the final round and came up short. Despite being in the hunt throughout, his chances probably ended with a bogey on the 15th hole, a wonderful reverse redan par three.

The PGA Futures Championship marked its Melbourne debut at the new age Sandhurst Club in fine style.

The prestigious tournament, now in its 28th year, had added spice due to the participation of female trainee professional golfers.

The best-performed woman was Kasey Henshaw, the only female to survive the 36-hole cut. The second year trainee from Newcastle displayed plenty of heart in compiling a total of 319 with rounds of 79, 75, 80 and 85, in what was a tough week with strong winds buffeting the course.

Many of the competing players lavished praise on Sandhurst Club, particularly the layout of the holes and the quality of the greens.

Tournament winner Julian Reynolds shot a brilliant 68 (four under par) in the second round to jointly establish the new course record with Roland Baglin.

"You have to plot your way around and I enjoy that sort of challenge," he explained. "I like the course a lot and the greens are unbelievable to putt on."

Tournament Details
Date:
15 Dec - 18 Dec 2005
Course:
Sandhurst Golf Club
Location:
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2005 Winner:
Julian Reynolds
Money
45,000 ($AUD)