Viva Las Vegas: Rod Pampling earns third US PGA Tour victory

By Australian Golf Digest

By Evin Priest

ROD Pampling probably thought victory would have been a little easier after nearly opening with a 59, but the veteran has earned his third US PGA Tour title by one shot at the tender age of 47.

The Queenslander opened the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open with an 11-under 60 at the par-71 TPC Summerlin on Thursday, but ensuing rounds of 68-71 left him fighting it out with Americans Brooks Koepka and Lucas Glover over the weekend in Las Vegas.

Pampling put the pair to bed on Sunday with a stunning 6-under 65 – enough to finish at 20-under par and a enjoy two-shot victory over Koepka (18-under), while Glover finished a shot back at 17-under. Pampling becomes the oldest winner of the event.

It was an emphatic victory for Pampling, whose last win on tour was 10 years ago at the Bay Hill Invitational. Pampling was one of 12 players who weren’t supposed to tee it up in the reduced field of 132, but was allowed to compete after an administration error failed to notify the dozen golfers.

Now exempt for two years on the US PGA Tour, Pampling said the win gave him confidence to mix it with the tour’s young stars.

“It’s a great feeling .. it’s just self belief – knowing it’s still there,” Pampling said on the 18th green. “I know I still have the game to compete out here. (The win) gives you the confidence that you can compete with the younger guys … it seems the Australians are starting to kick it in again.”

Geoff Ogilvy also found form and finished four shots back in a share of fourth at 16-under par. Two shots behind the 2006 US Open champion was youngster Cameron Smith, who enjoyed a top-10 finish courtesy of his 14-under par total.

Matt Jones was next best of the Australians at 13-under par and T15, while John Senden carded a 10-under par score and earned a share of 31st.