Last year’s City of Wagga Open proved a thriller, with Harris getting the better of young gun Bart Carroll in a play-off.

It was Harris again who led proceedings after the opening day this year and few could have anticipated any other victor after he smoked a smooth 71 on Saturday.

However, Sunday was to prove more difficult for the reigning champion and Betland, who shot 76 during the opening day’s play, took full advantage of Harris’ late wobbles.

The 37-year-old chipped away at the five-stroke deficit and rocketed home on Sunday afternoon, bagging consecutive birdies on the 17^th and 18^th holes to post a 71-round of his own.

“I thought I played pretty well on Saturday but things didn’t quite go my way, you know, but it didn’t feel like I did anything different (on Sunday),” Betland said.

“Shooting two birdies on the last two holes (on Sunday) got me out of trouble there – guess that probably helped me out a fair bit but yeah, came good in the end.”

Betland is a well regarded golfer back in Forbes, where he alongside younger brother John have dominated proceedings for the past few years.

But one could be forgiven for writing him off given he failed to seed after Saturday’s play.

Harris was in pole position after seeding alongside Peter Zotti and James Elliot, yet it was Betland who emerged victorious – largely thanks to his final flurry.

In contrast, Harris had the chance to snake a potential playoff but fell foul of the bunker from the 18^th tee, ruining any fairy tale comeback.

The result sees Betland take home his maiden City of Wagga Open win and it’s been a while between drinks.

“I haven’t been here for a while to be honest, probably four or five years,” Betland said.

Harris finished up with a 78-round on Sunday to claim equal second place alongside Nathan Walsh, who was a steady improver over the weekend.

Walsh shot 76 on Saturday before smoking a classy 73.

READ MORE