Puig follows in Seve’s footsteps to win Australian PGA Championship

Puig’s long-range putt on the second to kick-start that run set the tone for a breakthrough victory, which included just two bogeys across the four days.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I really had a lot of close calls in a few events through this year and last year, and wasn’t able to pull it through.

“It feels unbelievable, especially winning here in Australia – they have some awesome golf. I was pretty nervous to be fair, especially when you’re thinking about the past a little bit and what I could have done a little better.

“But I kept my composure really well, and that start helped a lot.”

Fan favourite Min Woo Lee looked the most likely to apply pressure to Puig in the morning, producing two brilliant birdies on holes one and three, the latter to briefly share the lead.

But the Australian was left to rue a terrible fourth hole, finding the bunker off the tee before overshooting with his next stroke for bogey.

His inability to find the green continued on the following two holes, and he was able to do no more than salvage pars, before a pinpoint tee shot earned him a birdie on 11 and was followed by another on 12 to close the gap to two strokes.

But Puig held his composure to secure the biggest win of his career, as Lee finished at 14 under, stretching the deficit to four strokes. Even when another Australian, Marc Leishman (67, 15 under) twice closed the gap to two, Puig responded.

“It was the story of the week – just missed, I wouldn’t say short putts, but makeable putts. But probably everyone in the field could say that, so it’s a little frustrating,” Leishman said.

“But the signs are really good for next week [at the Australian Open]. I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve ever played – driving good, the putter feels great, just hopefully I can make a few putts next week.

“He [Puig] is a really good all-round player, when his head’s on his shoulders the right way he’s dangerous.”

Gouveia was unable to recapture the brilliance he showed in the third round, while Quayle looked a shadow of the man who shot a 63 this time last year.

Attention now turns to where the future of the championship rests, as Royal Queensland prepares for renovations ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The Crisafulli Government confirmed the renovations to Royal Queensland would include a new nine-hole course, pavilion and upgrades to the existing course, with the changes to be made incrementally through to 2028.

Former world No.1 Adam Scott, who finished 13-under, triumphed in the event twice when it was hosted on the Gold Coast, and advocated for its return to the Pines Golf Course at Sanctuary Cove, while remaining hopeful it did not venture away from Queensland – where it has taken place since 2000.

“I have no say in it, I’m not sure. I mean, I have a soft spot for Sanctuary Cove, having had a home there for quite a few years and my parents are still living there,” Scott said.

“I think the Pines course is up to it … but then the logistics of the tournament is a whole other story.

“Hopefully, we can get back up here [in Queensland], I’ve enjoyed playing up here my whole career. I’ve been lucky to be able to do that from Coolum days down to the Gold Coast, and now in Brisbane.

“It would be a shame to see a big event like this leave the state, but there are big things on the horizon also for Queensland.”

But where Seve was a famously flamboyant player, Puig was all about cool-headed consistency in this win. He shut the door on any challengers on Sunday with excellent iron play, and some nerveless putting when things threatened to go wrong. He didn’t make a bogey in his last 40 holes.

China’s Wenyi Ding, also a youngster at 21, finished second at 16-under. Marc Leishman was the best Aussie, tied third with Kiwi Nick Voke, at 15-under.