Bo Van Pelt Beats Jason Dufner by 2 Shots in ISPS Handa Perth International

Bo Van Pelt had his best year on the PGA Tour in 2012; the only thing missing was a win. He posted 10 top-10 finishes this year, earned a little over $3 million and finished No. 23 in the FedEx Cup rankings.

And on Sunday, he finally collected his first European Tour victory and the fourth professional win of his career down under in the ISPS Handa Perth International. Van Pelt won the 2009 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee for his lone win on the PGA Tour.

He battled Tiger Woods at the AT&T National earlier this summer at Congressional, but fell short, finishing in second place.  

Van Pelt held a one-shot lead over fellow American Jason Dufner after three rounds at historic Lake Karrinyup Country Club, and they were paired in the last group for the final round. Van Pelt’s final-round 68 bested Dufner’s 69 for the win. 

Lake Karrinyup has a rich history. It opened in 1929 and was designed by Alex Russell, the 1924 Australian Open Champion and business partner of famed golf architect Dr. Alister McKenzie.

Lake Karrinyup has hosted the Australian Open on four occasions. Notable winners include Gary Player in 1974, Jack Nicklaus in 1968 and Bruce Devlin in 1960.

The ISPS Handa Perth International is co-sanctioned by the European and Australasia Tours.

Van Pelt has been on tour since 2004, has $17 million in career earnings and has a solid all-around game. He is a quiet guy and makes in home in Richmond, Indiana. 

Will this win on a quality golf course versus a tough opponent like Dufner be what he needs to collect more wins on the PGA Tour in the future?