Justin Warren secured his first PGA Tour of Australasia victory on Sunday, ending a challenging two-year period marked by a significant foot injury. The 31-year-old golfer, who endured eight months in a moon boot, overcame adversity with a two-shot triumph at the W PGA Championship.

Warren entered the final round in a three-way tie for the lead, alongside Daniel Gale and another contender. Early in the day, he established a four-stroke margin over Gale, his closest competitor. Gale, who has worked with former NRL champion Ryan Papenhuyzen during the European season, mounted a strong comeback, narrowing the deficit to a single stroke as the round reached its conclusion.

The tournament’s decisive moment came on the 18th hole. Gale’s third shot landed in a greenside bunker but stalled on a ridge, preventing the ball from rolling down towards the hole. This misfortune eliminated the possibility of a short birdie putt. He managed to save par despite the setback. Warren, meanwhile, held his composure and sank a 20-foot birdie putt shortly afterward, closing the round with a five-under 67 and finishing at 11-under par overall.

Expressing his emotions after the win, Warren acknowledged the difficulties of his comeback. “The tears are coming,” he said. “I can’t even speak. It’s been a long journey and tough to get back here, but everything is worth it right now.”

Warren’s injury had a significant impact on his world ranking, which slipped to 1625 due to limited playing opportunities over the previous 18 months. He had relied on a medical exemption to continue competing on the Asian Tour and had been dependent on sponsor invitations to participate in PGA Tour of Australasia events.

This victory secures Warren a full playing schedule in Australasia and New Zealand, providing much-needed stability in his professional career.

Finishing in a tie for third place at seven-under par were Jasper Stubbs, Curtis Luck, and American player Austin Gean. Another overnight co-leader, Louis Dobbelaar, struggled with a three-over 75 on the final day but managed to birdie two of his last three holes to conclude the tournament at three-under par.