Queenslander claims Fiji Open title

 QUEENSLANDER Steven Jeffress claimed the biggest prizemoney cheque of his career when he overcame brutal winds to win the inaugural US$1 million (K2.45m) Fiji International golf tournament by four strokes.

Jeffress shot a closing two-under-par 70 on Sunday for a winning total of 10-under in the Australasian PGA Tour and OneAsia Tour event – the only player to shoot sub-par for all four rounds on the demanding Natadola Bay championship course on the West coast of Fiji.

Australians filled the next three placings with 20-year-old Jake Higginbottom second after a 70 and Terry Pilkadaris (71) and Andrew Dodt (76) tied for third, eight strokes behind the winner.

Jeffress birdied three of his last four holes to clinch the impressive victory. Three-time major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji, who designed the course which features 15 oceanside holes, finished tied for 10th after a 73, 12 strokes behind Jeffress. – Fiji Times