Brad Burns claimed back-to-back Vuksich & Borich Fiji Legends Golf Classic win over the weekend.

This was after he prevailed in a playoff over Glenn Joyner in the Ladbrokes Legends Tour event played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course and Denarau Golf & Racquet Club.

Burns got off to a slow start in the opening round played at Natadola, home of the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways, but was able to rally when the tournament shifted to Denarau.

A second round 66 followed by an even-par third round saw him finish 56 holes at 4-under the card.

Joyner birdied three of the last seven holes to finish the third round with 3-under 69, 4-under the card for the tournament along with Burns.

All eyes were on the par-5 18th with just the leading group of Martin Pettigrew and Richard Backwell left on course.

Backwell found trouble and recorded a double-bogey when a par would have tied the lead and Pettigrew could only make par to fall one short.

Joyner and Burns headed to the 18th tee for the playoff and Joyner fell agonisingly short of victory on the first hole when his birdie putt stopped half a roll short.

Back to the 18th tee and Burns hit a 2-iron over the water to 20-feet to set up an eagle putt, but when Joyner’s birdie attempt from distance went well past, Burns lagged to 18 inches and although a brave putt was made for par by Joyner, Burns took out the title with a birdie.

Joyner’s second place finish has moved him into top position on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour Order of Merit.

The Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course received the seal of approval from the Ladbrokes Legends Tour Professionals who played the coastline course in round one of the Vuksich & Borich Fiji Legends Golf Classic.

“The course is in fantastic condition, it’s one of the best courses we play on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour, the setting is so picturesque,” said Andy Rogers, Ladbrokes Legends Tour Coordinator at the PGA of Australia.

“There was a decent wind around so it presented a nice challenge for the field, it’s a great course and I’m sure it will be presented perfectly for the Fiji International in August.”

Managed by the PGA of Australia, the Ladbrokes Legends Tour is the Professional golf circuit for pofessional golfers aged 50 and over. Approximately 70 tournaments operate throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific with approximately AU$1.5 million in prizemoney on offer each year.

Former Major Championship winners Wayne Grady (U.S. PGA), Ian Baker-Finch (The Open) along with Australian golfing legends such as Rodger Davis, Peter Fowler, Michael Harwood, Peter O’Malley and Peter Senior all feature regularly on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour.

Edited by Grace Narayan

Feedback: oseab@fijisun.com.fj