Stadler Triumphs over O'Hern in the Johnnie Walker Classic

Kevin Stadler eagled the final hole at The Vines Resort and Country Club for the third successive day to puncture local favourite Nick O'Hern's challenge for his first European Tour title in the Johnnie Walker Classic.

The 26 year old son of former Masters Champion, Craig, conjured up a superb three iron from 220 yards to 12 inches for a tap-in eagle three to claim the title with a 20 under par total of 268, two ahead of Perth resident O'Hern.

As most of Western Australia held its breath, the tournament reached a spectacular crescendo with the State’s favourite son chasing the wire to wire leader from Scottsdale, Arizona.

O’Hern, on his 143^rd start on The European Tour International Schedule and with five second place finishes to his name, briefly led at the turn as Stadler racked up three successive bogeys from the fifth to drop out of the lead for the first time since the opening day.

The American steadied the ship with a couple of solid birdies at the ninth and tenth to regain the lead and O’Hern knew he required a grandstand finish after dropping a shot at the 12^th.

Undaunted, he struck a brilliant seven iron from 160 yards to within four feet at the 17^th to move within a shot of Stadler, then summoned up an even better shot at the last by smashing a five wood to within ten feet. However his eagle putt to reach 19 under par missed by an inch.

As two more Australians, Richard Green and Robert Allenby, finished tied for third on 16 under par, it became clear that Stadler and O’Hern were the only contenders for their first titles. The stage was then left to Stadler to deliver his coup de gras with that radar-like three iron and even O’Hern, watching nearby on television, gave a respectful nod.

With his final round of 69, Stadler was the new champion, but he admitted to being somewhat unsure of his future plans, which may include taking up Membership of The European Tour. This week he will remain in Australia to compete on the Nationwide Tour event jointly sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia, but he said: “I have no idea what the future’s going to hold.

“I would imagine I would take up Membership (of The European Tour). I don’t see any reason not to. I had planned to play a full schedule on the Nationwide Tour but I know there are plenty of spots that I would just love to go and see on The European Tour. I played a couple of years ago in Switzerland and had a fantastic time.

“So even if I don’t play the Tour (full-time) I’d like to be able to take  advantage of it and go and play a couple of tournaments here and there.”

He added: “Honestly I am kind of baffled by all his. It was a great week. Except for these three holes in the middle I felt I had total control of my game. The golf course seemed to suit me and it all worked out.”

Left hander O’Hern, a popular figure around his hometown of Perth, could not hide his disappointment at being thwarted once more, despite a closing round of 68.

He commented: “It would have been nice to take away a victory but I played my heart out and was really proud of those last three or four holes – especially the last two, being able to stand up and hit the shots I wanted.”

Green, third last week in Dubai, occupied the same position once more after a roller-coaster final round of 71. Australia’s other ‘lefty’ bogeyed three of the first four holes, but recovered with four birdies to finish under par for the day.

He finished on 272, the same score as Allenby who had an altogether more impressive start with four straight birdies. However he spilled two shots in the middle of his round before a bird-eagle finish for a six under par 66.

Defending champion Adam Scott was unable to deliver a blow and finished in a share of sixth place with England’s Ian Poulter and Italy’s Francesco Molinari, who shot 69 and 72 respectively.