Coletta storms home to win men's Vic Open title

Long touted as the next big thing in Australian golf and several years after missing out on a PGA Tour card and then getting stuck in the US, Brett Coletta has delivered on that promise by winning the Vic Open.

The 27-year-old Victorian stormed home with a seven-under 65 including an eagle and six birdies at Thirteenth Beach on Sunday to claim the biggest title of his career by two shots.

Coletta finished at 18-under 270, two shots clear of playing partner Jordan Zunic (67) and fellow Australian Andrew Martin, who birdied the last for a 68.

The key moment of the final day came on the 16th green, where Coletta drained a long birdie putt and Zunic missed his birdie attempt from much closer in, allowing the Victorian to double his lead to two strokes.

After an impressive amateur career, the likes of Greg Norman and Robert Allenby predicted a huge future for Coletta.

He had some good results on the secondary tour in the US and went close to earning a PGA Tour card in 2020, before suffering from homesickness after being unable to return to Australia due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

"I finished 27th (on the US secondary tour money list) in the regular season and then I made a meal of the play-offs," said an emotional Coletta.

"So close, but not close really.

"I feel like I'm a different person now.

"I was only 23 at the time, so definitely some sort of maturing goes on in that time, and COVID probably exacerbates that as well.

"I was stuck over there and I couldn't get back home. It was just a brutal time."

The victory and prize money of $75,600 lifted Coletta to second place on the Australasian Tour Order of Merit behind Min Woo Lee.

Queenslander Jed Morgan
Queenslander Jed Morgan had the low round of the final day at the Vic Open, an eight-under 64.

Jed Morgan had the low round of the day, an eight-under 64, to vault up the leaderboard into a tie for fourth at 14-under with fellow Australian Travis Smyth (66).

It has been a topsy-turvy time for the Queenslander since he streeted the field to win the Australian PGA by a record 11 shots in late 2022.

Morgan played on the LIV Tour last year, but lost his card and will now ply his trade on the Asian Tour in 2024, starting with the Malaysian Open in a fortnight.

"The form has been pretty good all week," said the 24-year-old.

"It's a round that's been coming for a little while, probably for over six months.

"... Ever since the Royal Queensland (Australian PGA) win it's been a whirlwind, some ups and then some downs, plenty of downs.

"But the whole LIV experience was amazing.

"I was fortunate to be there and I embraced it." 

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store