Queenslander Cory Crawford has produced a comeback for the ages to score a one-shot victory in the Vic PGA Championship at Moonah Links. More than seven years after his lone Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia victory – in Port Moresby in 2017 – Crawford recorded his second win after at least two years of struggle with a back fracture that was not originally diagnosed. Crawford, who plays out of Sanctuary Cove, holed a right-to-left 12-foot birdie putt at Sunday's 72nd hole which ultimately secured the victory at 14-under par. But before he could relax, he had to hit the driving range to keep warm while American Tyler McCumber came down the par-5 18th. McCumber was at 13-under and needed birdie for to force a playoff.
The Floridean missed the green left with his long iron second shot, chipped up to just more than two feet, and had that putt for four to extend the contest. But inexplicably, the man who has played 60 times on the US PGA Tour and who had looked the winner for much of the day, missed the putt and could only make a par. Out on the range 100 metres away, the news passed through to an elated Crawford.
The unsung 32-year-old had played superbly in shooting a final-round 68 with seven birdies. He was presented with the Jack Harris Cup by Marilyn Harris, the daughter of the late tour star and six-time winner of this event. Potential miracle man Anthony Quayle - penalised seven strokes in round one because of a mistake over preferred lies - shot a closing 69 to finish third at 12-under.
Quayle drew the attention and the sympathy but it was Crawford who wrote the better redemption story on the day. Victorian Darcy Brereton, who shot the equal-low round of the day, a 4-under 68, was tied-fourth at 11-under with overnight joint leader Jason Hong and WA’s Braden Becker. “A lot’s gone on. It’s been pretty difficult at times. To be in this is pretty special,” said Crawford, who described himself as being “on my third restart” from the back issue. “I’ve worked really hard with (coach) Terry Price on trying to improve the ball striking. It feels really good to hit some good shots under the pump." He also paid tribute to caddie for the weekend Neven Basic, his fellow tour pro, especially for guidance over the putt on 18. Crawford had his read of a little right-to-left, but called Basic over to confirm it. “Under pressure sometimes it can get a little hazy, but he was awesome. To have that bit of reassurance was awesome, and we hit a great putt," he said.
