Powered by the “nervous excitement” of playing his first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia event with money on the line, the former amateur star detailed his trip from last weekend’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan to Kalgoorlie with a laugh.
A six-shot leader through 54-holes, Eccles’ 23-under total and five-stroke victory masks the turmoil of a restless night’s sleep, two chats with coach Grant Field between rounds and a host of challengers who bridged the gap to just three before the final group made the turn.
Four Aussies will make a 15,396-kilometre mad dash from a rain-soaked St Andrews to the Kalgoorlie desert to take their place in the CKB WA PGA Championship starting tomorrow.