EAGLE SOARS INLAW’SFIRST TOURVICTORY

WHAT a way to secure your maiden European Tour title – eagling the 72nd hole.

That’s what rookie Scot David Law did in holing a 10-foot putt to land the ISPS Handa Vic Open at the 13th Beach course in Melbourne.

Despite having to call a penalty on himself when his ball moved in putting on the ninth green, Law, 27, captured his first Tour win in just his fifth event as a full member.

The Aberdonian’s six-under 66 was the lowest round of the day and saw him finish on 18-under 270.

He becomes the first Scot to triumph in a pro event in Australia since Colin Montgomerie won the 2001 Australian Masters.

Law said: “We needed to make eagle and I was kind of in between clubs.

“We had 214 yards to the pin and quite a lot of wind and 4-iron wasn’t getting there, hybrid was probably a bit too much, so we hit the hybrid, took a bit off it and luckily it paid off.

“I couldn’t have asked for an easier putt to be honest. It was straight downhill and there wasn’t any break to it so I just got it going.”

Law began the final round three shots behind home hero Wade Ormsby and on the 16th tee was still trailing by three.

But that was before he birdied 16 and then played the shot of his career and proceeded to roll in the eagle putt.

It sent Law into a share of the lead with Ormsby at 18 under but when the Aussie double bogeyed 17 it meant he needed an eagle of his own up the last to force a play-off.

But he managed only a birdie to finish tied second with countryman Brad Kennedy, handing Law a one-shot triumph.

Law geared himself up for a possibility of a play-off and said: “I thought after my round I’ll have a few putts, maybe go to the range and hit a few balls.

“We’ll see where we are. But it was unbelievable to win and I am so pleased.”

There was agony for David Drysdale (67) despite tieing fifth on 273. He missed out by a single stroke in qualifying for the lucrative WGC-Mexico Championship.

Fellow Scot Grant Forrest shot a one-over 73 for 279 to finish joint 22nd.