Garcia slides as Smith wins Australian PGA Championship play-off

Queensland, December 3: Cameron Smith overcame an unruly spectator and a play-off to win the Australian PGA Championship, where Sergio Garcia struggled to end the tournament on a high note.

Masters champion Garcia arrived in Queensland amid much fanfare but the Spanish star faded on Sunday (December 3), as a final-round 74 saw him finish 12 strokes off the pace in a tie for 24th.

Garcia was a mere afterthought at Royal Pines as Australia's Smith survived two play-off holes against countryman Jordan Zunic.

Smith (68) and overnight leader Zunic went head-to-head after being locked together at 18 under following 72 regulation holes.

What a way to finish the #AusPGA

TAKE A BOW @camsmithgolf!!! pic.twitter.com/fpmNNaxRMi

— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) December 3, 2017

A play-off was needed when Smith bogeyed the last hole, having been distracted by a fan, who was making noises by sneezing loudly before the 24-year-old played his shots.

Smith held a one-shot lead and only required a par to claim the Championship in regulation before his shot slipped off the green.

Neither player could be separated on the first play-off hole as Smith and Zunic, who flirted with a 59 and the course record Saturday, settled for par.

Zunic came unstuck at the next additional hole, his par putt lipping out to allow Smith to tap in for victory.

Source: OPTA