GOLF

FUELLED by redemption, Matthew Docking has won this year's PGA Professionals Championship Final on Dent Island in emphatic fashion.

The Hamilton Island Golf Club hosted the three-day event last week (October 27-30) which saw the 33-year-old shake a shadow that had haunted him for three years.

Docking, from the Murrumbidgee Country Club (ACT), had not played in a golf tournament since 2011, where he blew a big lead at the Taiwan PGA.

"I was pretty determined to get over the line," he said.

"Early I got a really strong. I made a great putt on the first after thinking I'd lost my tee-shot. I birdied the next, missed a couple of short ones but [I] had such a good feeling out there...I was determined to go out there and at least put in a good performance."

That he did, carding a course record six-under-par round of 65 to clear the field by 10 shots.

"I'd been hitting the ball nicely for a while. I don't play a hell of a lot but I did a bit of practice for this and it all fell into place," he said.

"I had a nice round of golf at home with the members so I was confident with my game coming here."

Docking had rounds of 73 and 71 to go with his stunning 65, which saw him qualify for the Australian PGA Championships at RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 11-13, joining the likes of defending champion Adam Scott.

"That will be really enjoyable. [To] be back playing tournament golf again will be a big thrill, hopefully I can do something special," Docking said.

"If I play like I have been who knows what can happen."

Docking also had praise for the "amazing" Dent Island course.

"It's the most spectacular course I've seen. It was such a challenge," he said.

LEADER BOARD

Matthew Docking 209

Michael Faraone 219

Mark Gilson 219

Nicholas Robb 220

Nathan King 220

Craig McLean 221

Darren Spencer 222

Peter Shaw 223

Anthony Johnson 223

Murray Lott 224