Cameron John has held off a charging Daniel Gale in fine style to claim a breakthrough victory in the PGA Tour of Australasia season finale - but runner-up Gale also had plenty of reason to celebrate.
John needed just 11 putts on the back nine as he shot a closing three-under 69 to win The National Tournament by two shots from the in-form Gale, who posted a 67.
A three-shot overnight leader, 24-year-old Victorian John collected $30,000 in winner's prizemoney after finishing at 16-under on the Moonah course at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula.
John’s three straight birdies from the 10th hole and a crucial up and down on 14 effectively kept Gale at arm’s length after the New South Welshman had closed within one shot earlier.
"It was very much back and forth that back nine," said John "It was good fun.”
Gale, already a winner of the NT PGA and Webex Players Series Hunter Valley earlier in the season, secured enough points from his runner-up finish to move past Brett Coletta into second on the Order of Merit.
Gale and Coletta join Order of Merit champion Kazuma Kobori of New Zealand as the recipients of coveted DP World Tour cards for the 2025 season.
“Cam won that event. I threw my best shot at him but just a few bogeys that killed me,” said Gale.
“Gave it my best shot and he went out and made the putts when he had to.
“I’m pretty chuffed for him because it was a good battle.
“The big goal was to lock up that Europe card for next year, that category, and I’m pretty chuffed."
Veterans Josh Younger (68) and Aaron Townsend (68) shared third place, seven shots behind John.
As the leaders battled it out, players throughout the field were playing for their futures on the tour.
Nathan Barbieri (70), Jack Munro (71), Kit Bittle (68), Townsend and Younger moved in and out of the top-50 points cut-off who keep their category for next season.
Ultimately only Younger finished the season inside the top 50.
Munro (51), Bittle (52), Townsend (53) and Barbieri (54) now face a return to qualifying school next month to improve their category.
