Law seals Vic Open win with stunning eagle on final hole

David Law of Scotland holds the trophy after winning the Vic Open golf tournament at the 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads near Melbourne on February 10, 2019 - AFP

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Briton David Law produced a sparkling eagle on the 18th hole to snatch a one-stroke victory at the Vic Open in Barwon Heads, Australia, and claim his maiden European Tour title yesterday.

The 27-year-old Scot’s six-under 66 at 13th Beach Golf Links left him with an 18-under total of 270, one ahead of local duo Wade Ormsby and Brad Kennedy.

Law, who began the day three shots off overnight leader Ormsby, struck a brilliant approach to within 10 feet of the pin on the par-five 18th and coolly rolled in the eagle putt to pressure the leading Ormsby. Ormsby, playing the hole behind, crumbled with a double-bogey on the par-three 17th to give Law the club-house lead when he dragged his tee-shot left and failed to make the green with a chip before missing the bogey putt from about 10 feet.

The Australian also missed a long eagle putt on the last that would have forced a playoff.

“We stood on the tee and we said we need to make eagle,” Law said after claiming the $1.5 million AUD ($1.06 million) winner’s cheque.

“We had to go for it, so I sort of took a bit off a hybrid and lucky it went to eight-10 feet. At the time I was just trying to get into solo second.

“It’s an amazing event, we’ve loved it all week.”

Kennedy made a strong start, with six birdies before the turn, but had two bogeys on the back nine and had to settle for a share of second.

South African Justin Harding finished fourth, a stroke further back on 16-under.

In the women’s tournament, France’s Celine Boutier eased to a two-stroke victory after an even par final round that moved her to eight-under overall, ahead of Australian duo Sarah Kemp and Su Oh in joint second.