Co-leader going into Sunday’s final round, Puig’s nerveless final-round 5-under 66 built on a flurry of early birdies to break away from an overloaded leaderboard that saw 31 players within six shots of the lead at the start of the day.
Puig became only the ninth international winner of the event and only the second since 1998. He joined compatriot Seve Ballesteros – former world number 1 and five-time world champion – who won the tournament in 1981 as the only other Spanish player to claim the title.
“It feels great. I’ve had a lot of close calls at a few events throughout the year and last year and I couldn’t really get through,” said the 23-year-old, who plays on the LIV Tour. “It feels incredible, especially to win here in Australia and I’ve been playing great golf so I’m really excited and happy.
A simple two-putt for par on the par-4 18th was enough for a two-shot victory over China’s Wenyi Ding and his third professional title, but first on the DP World Tour.
Ding finished at 16-under 268 and also had a final round 66.
Local favorites Marc Leishman (15 under, tied for third) and Min Woo Lee (14 under, tied for fifth) were both in contention on the turn, but couldn’t find the putts they needed to get back into contention.
New Zealander Nick Voke (66) made three birdies on the back stretch to finish tied for third with Leishman.
Former world No. 1 and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott (69) finished seventh at 13-under 271 and will rue a number of birdie misses that would have put him in the mix in his native Queensland.
As other contenders slipped, Puig held his nerve and birdied the 13th and saved par at the 14th to keep Ding at bay as the Chinese player made a late charge for birdies at the 16th and 17th.
“I was definitely nervous, but I think I kept my composure pretty well and obviously that start (to the last lap) helped a lot.” said Puig, who made just two bogeys all week and none on Championship Sunday.
The Australian PGA is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australia and the European tour, which starts the 2025-2026 season just two weeks after Rory McIlroy won the Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy will light up the court at the Australian Open next week.
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