Cranbourne Golf Club member David Micheluzzi has come back from a seven-shot deficit early in the last round to score a stunning win in the 2023 Victorian PGA at Moonah Links.
With a four-under 68 on Sunday to finish on 14-under, Micheluzzi beat Ben Eccles by a stroke to enhance his reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting young golfing talents.
The Victorian began the day six shots behind leader Kazuma Kobori, and after double-bogeying the second was even further behind.
He rebounded swiftly, taking birdies on his next three holes, and while he edged closer Kobori stumbled.
At the turn, Kobori’s six-shot lead was gone, with the New Zealander and Micheluzzi tied for the lead, and with Eccles in the group ahead making moves of his own.
After four bogeys, Kobori’s first birdie came at the par-5 13th; keeping his hopes of a first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia win alive, but three more bogeys scuppered his chances.
As Kobori struggled, Micheluzzi added four more birdies against just one dropped shot.
And after Eccles’ challenged was halted by a bogey at the par-four 15th, Micheluzzi looked assured of another win, and one with particular significance coming before family and friends in his home state.
“I’m stoked with how everything went, and to have friends and family here just tops everything,” Micheluzzi said.
“The putter got so hot; it’s probably the best I’ve putted in quite a long time.”
After a break-out season last year, winning three times and claiming the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, Micheluzzi’s latest win further builds on his burgeoning reputation.
His Order of Merit win from last season has gained Micheluzzi DP World Tour status for next year, but performing well in Australia is still high on his priorities.
“I wanted to come back and play a couple of events, especially before Australian PGA and Australian Open,” he said.
Micheluzzi played in this year’s British Open Championship at the famed Royal Liverpool Golf Club, teeing up alongside 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson and Englishman Matt Wallace.
