A sensational closing nine of six-under 29 at Willunga Golf Course, plus some late mishaps among the other chief contenders trying to seal their biggest career win, saw Sydney’s Bautista emerge as a one-shot victor at 11-under, his second Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia title.

The 26-year-old’s 64 with eight birdies matched the low round of the day and followed opening rounds of 65-71-68.

Overnight leader Andrew Campbell (NSW), Josh Greer (WA) and Corey Lamb (NSW) shared second position and will have plenty of “what-if” stories.

A self-confessed “bad swing” from Campbell on the par-3 14th saw his ball cannon into the trees and out of bounds into a neighbouring McLaren Vale vineyard leading to a double bogey, dropping him from the lead.

Greer was steady for much of the afternoon in just his third event as a professional, but couldn’t birdie the last hole after managing a three on each of the first three days, while Lamb suffered a cruel end on the 18th, making a bogey from 50m short of the green with his tee shot when a par would have forced a play-off.

Meanwhile, Bautista was “having a back nine”, fist-pumping his way to four birdies in the last six holes, not knowing where he stood on the leaderboard until he finished.

The 54-hole leader Andrew Campbell finished in a share of second after a late out-of-bounds tee shot. PHOTO: Australian Golf Media.

“Golf is just wild. I’ve missed so many cuts I’ve thought about quitting,” Bautista, who failed by a shot to play the last 36 holes in the Tour’s two Western Australia events this month, said.

“I’ve always been confident in my game and I think I can win every week. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t.

“If I make putts and get on roll, it just feels like a video game.”

An enthralling final round began with Campbell in front by one, but he was soon overtaken by Lamb who birdied three of his first four holes to grab a two-shot advantage.

By the time they reached the turn, the duo had been joined in a four-way tie at the top by Sam Brazel (NSW), who pitched in for an eagle on the 9th, and Kade McBride (Qld), who played the front nine in just 30 strokes.

McBride was the first to drop away with a three-putt bogey on the 14th followed by a double-bogey on 15 ending his charge, although he still posted a 66 to tie for sixth with Victorian James Marchesani (65) and Brazel (69) who couldn’t keep his momentum going.

Veteran Queenslander Michael Wright (66) was outright fifth.

“Golf is just wild. I’ve missed so many cuts I’ve thought about quitting. I’ve always been confident in my game and I think I can win every week. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t." – Austin Bautista.

The only woman to make the weekend play, Queenslander Robyn Choi, closed with a one-under-par 71 to finish equal 19th at four-under for the tournament, and will head home as the new Willunga women’s course record holder after a 67 on day one.

CKB WA PGA winner Ben Eccles had another good Sunday, posting a 64 to also finish at four-under, while local favourite Lachlan Barker (73) ended the week tied for 36th at one-under.