All those times finishing bridesmaid...it’s good to finally get over the line.
- Jason Magoci
The relief on Jason Magoci’s face as he walked off the 18th hole at the Griffith golf course on Sunday said it all.
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The scratch golfer had just secured his first win at the Dom’s Motors Griffith Golf Club Championships since 2008.
“It’s good mate,” Magoci said after the victory.
“All those times finishing bridesmaid...it’s good to finally get over the line.”
After rounds of 73 and 70 on the opening weekend of the championships, Magoci held a three-shot lead over rival Matt Staines who has dominated the tournament for more than a decade.
Two rounds of 76 followed in testing conditions on the final weekend which saw Magoci take a seven-shot win over Staines who maintained second.
The final margin may look a considerable one on paper but it wasn’t until he eagled the 17th hole before Magoci could breathe a little easier.
“That was, sort of, the icing on the cake,” Magoci said.
Bar that hole, the two-time winner felt a bit shaky on the run home.
“That last nine holes wasn't real good at all – it was very nervey,” Magoci said.
“It’s always nerve-racking having a lead of a few shots and trying to hang onto it.
“[In saying that] it was pretty good, there were a couple dusty holes there but I’m just glad it’s over and glad we’re in.”
The win was very much a breakthrough for Magoci after coming close in previous years.
None were much closer than last year’s event where Magoci led heading into the final weekend only to be pipped at the post.
This time around he remained steely-eyed despite letting his nerves creep in from time to time.
“You try not to [change anything] but things just happen,” Magoci said.
“You can be a bit protective at times but like I said I’m just glad it’s over.”
Conditions played their part especially on Sunday as a wind whipped up throughout the day.
Magoci felt he handled the conditions well across the tournament.
“Greens were rolling quite pacey, I guess,” Magoci said.
“Conditions were sort of semi-hard and fast which is sort of like championship golf or how it should be.”