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A heartbreaking 2017 Australian PGA playoff loss is now a distant memory for Jordan Zunic after he held on to claim his third Queensland Open title in Brisbane.
The runaway overnight leader needed a clutch par putt on the final hole to avoid a playoff and claim a one shot victory over Web.com Tour pro Rhein Gibson at Brisbane Golf Club.
Zunic, 26, looked like he had another Queensland Open title in the bag after the NSW golfer held a five shot lead going into the final round with a course record equalling six-under-par 65 on Saturday.
However, the result still came down to the wire with Zunic holding on for the crucial par to finish on 11-under - one shot ahead of a fast finishing Gibson.
NSW's Gibson roared home with a final round three under 68, applying plenty of pressure on Zunic who settled for a two over 73.
Zunic admitted he tried to keep memories of his playoff loss to Cameron Smith last year on the Gold Coast out of his head as he lined up his final putt.
"I did my best not to put that in my mind," he said.
"What a tough day it was for me. My putter went cold.
"I just kept saying to myself 'I just have to hold on'. Even after a bogey on the 16th I kept saying 'just hang in there' - I was glad I could get the job done."
Zunic was forced to hang on after swirling winds on Sunday played havoc with his game 24 hours after owning the course.
"The wind picked up a lot and I felt it was the hardest day all week," Zunic said.
"I wasn't hitting fairways on certain holes, making me scramble around this course which is very difficult.
"Having a five shot buffer coming into today is what you need here if something like today happens and allows me to remain in the tournament."
NSW's Steven Jeffress was third, a shot back on nine-under with Queensland's Douglas Klein (seven-under) taking fourth.
ACT's Matthew Millar tied for fifth with Queenslanders Adam Blyth and Michael Wright on six-under.
Amateur Zach Murray - fresh from his WA Open success last week - had to settle for a tie for 20th after a four-over final round.
Zunic said he would now focus on earning his European Tour card.
His campaign starts at the Lumine Golf Club in Spain this week.
"It's what I have always dreamed of - playing here and playing over there which is very much a possibility now," Zunic said.
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