Ben Henkel another first time Australasian Tour winner
Ben Henkel – yet another first time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia – image Australian Golf Media
The final event of 2014 on the PGA of Australasia has been won by yet another first-time winner with Victorian Ben Henkel taking out the Gippsland Super 6 event at the Warragul Country Club with the Victorian’s par at the first extra hole of a playoff securing him victory in extra time over Queensland’s Dylan Gardner in the six-hole final match.
Henkel had won through to the final with a tense victory over NSW golfer Corey Lamb at the third extra hole in their semi-final while Dylan Gardner had eased into the final with an easy win over Andrew Evans.
With both Henkel and Gardener tied after six holes in the final, Hinkle managed to par the first extra hole to take the title and the A$36,000 cheque.
Henkel has missed four of his last six cuts in PGA Tour of Australasia events but found a way in this unique format to excel after gaining his Australasian Tour card earlier in 2024.
“It’s amazing and I was so fortunate,” said an emotional Henkel after seeing off Dylan Gardner in the final medal match play battle of Sunday.
“I’ve got some great mates that made the trip down, and my mum and dad.I’ve been battling so hard with my game and everything, just fighting through it.
“I’ve had a lot of early mornings before work, after work, just really believing in myself to get a future out of this game. This is massive for me, massive.”
Henkel will race into 15th position on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit as the 2024 year draws to a close.
