A DELIGHTED Michael Harwood has won the 2012 Australian PGA Senior Championship after a fighting two stroke victory over Mike Zilko at the Gordon Golf Club in Sydney.
Harwood finished the 36 hole event at six under par after warding off Zilko’s final round challenge.
It is the lanky Victorian’s first Australian PGA Senior Championship and adds to a long career of victories including the 1986 Australian PGA Championship and the European Tour’s 1990 Volvo Masters.
Harwood began the final round with a two strokes advantage but a bogey on the first and birdie by Zilko on the par three second saw him lose the outright lead.
He quickly fought back with consecutive birdies on four and five and from there he was never headed.
Harwood’s victory also gains him exemption into the Australian PGA Championship at the Palmer Coolum Resort next month.
“This is a great win and something I am really proud off. To win the Australian PGA Senior title is a great honour” Harwood said after accepting he title.
The round of the day and new course record came from Legends Tour Player Graham Cheshire who recorded a five-under par round of 60. Cheshire’s round catapulted him up the leader board to finish in a tie for third position.
Organisers were overall happy with the event at its new venue after moving up the road from its home of the past couple of years, the Killara Golf Club.