Varner, who enjoys blackjack and basketball almost as much as golf, thrilled the galleries with his cavalier approach to emulate countryman Hale Irwin’s victory in 1978.

The 26-year old, who lost in a three-way play-off in this event last year, carded nine birdies and two bogies in an exciting display of aggressive golf.

He finished at 19-under for the tournament, two strokes ahead of gritty runner-up Andrew Dodt (69) with a further two shots to Adam Scott who closed with a 67.

“I’m super excited. I’m ready to fill this trophy up with champagne and then get to the casino,’’ laughed Varner.

“I wanted to find a way to birdie every hole. I don’t worry about what other people are doing, I just play my own game.

“After last year it is great to finish off and be the winner. It’s my first win in three years so I’m super happy.’’

Varner was a little perplexed when asked to explain the scoring discrepancy between last year’s tournament when no player managed to break par on the re-vamped Royal Pines layout.

Harold Varner III (right) plants a kiss on the Joe Kirkwood trophy after his win. PHOTO: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“There was some bad weather last year and the greens are a lot softer now,’’ he said.

“But if somebody had said to me that 19-under would be the winning score this week I would have laughed.’’

 Varner, who was hugely popular with the Gold Coast galleries, walked into his post-event media conference brandishing the Joe Kirkwood Cup and a beer.

“I didn’t have a drink at all during the tournament, but I’ll celebrate tonight and I’m going back to the casino to rob ‘em,’’ he said.

“People have been so nice here. I’ve had great support, but when Andrew (Dodt) made that birdie on 14 and I made bogey I knew who the Australian was ... no problem with that.’’ 

FINAL LEADERBOARD

Although he is a big sports fan, Varner said he did not regard any sports person as a hero.

“Heroes are people like my Mum and Dad who put food on the table,’’ he said.

Varner started the day two shots behind Dodt but narrowed the gap with a birdie on the third and drew level with another on the seventh to ignite his round.

The American’s aggression yielded another three straight birdies to go to 17-under.

Varner had plenty of reasons to smile during his round that produced nine birdies. PHOTO: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Dodt looked rock solid from tee to green but struggled to capitalise on the greens until he notched successive birdies from the ninth to stay in touch with Varner.

They were locked at 16-under going to the 12th tee where Varner again reeled off successive birdies for a two-stroke lead.

But the 192-metre, par-3 14th hole produced a dramatic two-shot turnaround as Dodt rolled in a 40ft birdie putt and Varner missed from less than one metre for bogey.

Varner again broke the deadlock when he birdied the 15th and sealed the victory when he made a two metre birdie putt on the 17th ..

Andrew Dodt couldn't combat Varner's birdie barrage. PHOTO: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Although Scott’s eagle on the 15th took him to within two shots of the lead he never exerted real pressure on the leading duo.

“It was my best round of the week, but wasn’t good enough,’’ he said.

“I kept myself in it most of the day but the other two played better. Yesterday’s back nine was probably the costly one for me.

“I just have to keep my levels high, make a few minor adjustments and I should be able to capitalise with some good play next year.’’

Scott plans a two-month break with his family at Sanctuary Cove and will return at the Singapore Open in late January.

Ashley Hall closed with a 70 to be fourth at 14-under with experienced European Tour campaigner Brett Rumford outright fifth at 10-under after a bogey-free final round 67.

Adam Scott's second shot from the trees on the par-5 15th yielded a spectacular eagle. PHOTO: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Amateur Brett Coletta, who closed with a 69, tied for sixth place with Dutchman Darius van Driel (67) and John Senden (74).

Coletta started impressively to be six-under after 10 holes but came to grief with successive double-bogies on the par-5, 12th hole, and par-4, 13th.

But the young Victorian showed admirable composure to get his round back on track to finish eight-under for the tournament. His amateur status cost him $45,000 prizemoney.

Senden had a day to forget, struggling on the homeward nine which included two bogies and a double on the par-3, 14th.

Another disappointment was Scott Hend who failed to gain any momentum with an even-par 72 and and shared 10th place