After runners-up results for the last three years, and three tense playoff holes on Sunday, Luke Chisholm finally broke through for a dramatic victory over Bart Carroll at the Wagga Country Club championships.
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It was a grandstand finish in front of an excited crowd as the pair finished level after 72 holes, and then went head-to-head on the ninth hole until Chisholm finally denied the reigning champ a fourth straight title.
"It feels awesome," Chisholm said, after the competition's first playoff finish in 10 years.
"I've got to be honest, it's something I've wanted to win so bad, for so long. Your home club championship is such an event.
"Bart's one of my best mates here. He's someone I've been friends with since he was a junior. I've seen him grow up and turn into an absolute superstar so to get one on him before he goes ballistic and takes over the world is great!"
It completed a composed comeback from Chisholm.
He shot an even par 72 on Saturday to pull back three shots on Carroll (who shot 75) and then a one-under-par 71 on Sunday was enough to force the play off when Carroll hit 76.
An eagle at the sixth helped Chisholm to three-under early but errors had him chasing again until the 16th when he drew level with a birdie. Still tied after 18, they went to the ninth hole to decide the championship. After both made par the first two times, Chisholm got his opportunity at the third attempt after Carroll missed his four-foot putt for par.
"I was struggling to even feel my hands to tell you the truth. I was pretty nervous," Chisholm said of his winning putt in the twilight of a hot day.
"He's such a good player and he hardly makes any mistakes. To have a little tap-in like that was great. I was glad it was just a little 18-inch putt even though it felt like it was about a mile.
"I'm over the moon. I think people have said to me over the last few years that it's a little bit of a monkey on my back because I have had success in other events.
"So to get this one, it's huge. It's 72-hole golf, that's real golf and to get it done, it's amazing."
There'd been tension at 13 with Chisholm landing in ground that was uncertain. He played two balls, while a ruling was sought but it was confirmed ground-under-repair. While he bogeyed the hole, he avoided a penalty.
Kurt Pideski, who had a 71 on Saturday, was eight strokes back in third, just ahead of James Elliott and Charles Talbot who tied for fourth, Talbot after a 72 final round.
Kyle Thomas was B Grade Champion and Paul McCallum won C Grade.
There was still a victory for the Carroll family to celebrate with Bart's father Matt winning the A Grade handicap from Ben Hewitt.
