Hayes finally rewarded for his patience
Timaru’s Peter Hayes is delighted after recording his first win this year on the Australian PGA Legends Tour at the A$20,000 Fraser Coast Classic.
Hayes tied with Australian Tim Elliott after each carded rounds of one-under-69 and par-70 in the twoday event at the Hervey Bay Golf and Country Club.
On the final day Hayes traded five birdies for five bogeys during his round of 70.
He also had a chance to win it on the final hole with a 45cm side hill putt but just missed.
‘‘I watched one turn before me but mine stayed straight.’’
The Gleniti golfer said the win was special because of the class of the field in the 75 starters.
‘‘I’m not worried that it was a tie as it is always good to be in a field that includes Rodger Davis (5th), David Merriman (3rd) and Wayne Grady.’’
Hayes said what also made it special was that he had recovered from some ordinary golf since landing in Australia on July 19.
‘‘I didn’t get much practice before arriving because it was wet and over here the ground was rock hard.
‘‘I was struggling and my chipping was a real issue on the hard ground and I had a dose of the shanks so had lost a lot of confidence.’’
Hayes said some hard work practising sorted the issue out.
Over the weekend Hayes never missed a fairway and was almost flawless on the greens.
The 53-year-old has played 20 times on the Legends Tour this year, including nine New Zealand tournaments, and the win lifts him to 15th on the ‘‘order of merit’’ after recording two seconds and a fourth, before his victory.
He now has five wins since joining the Tour four years ago.
Hayes said his dream would be to try and qualify for the Britain’s senior open.
Originally Hayes had considered going to qualifying school in Europe but only has nine events on the tour now.
‘‘They are spread too far apart and you would have to travel back and forth, which would be too expensive.
‘‘Rocking up on the Monday and trying to get in the open would be great experience, and about five Aussies tried to pre-qualify last time, so it is a real possibility.’’