Rumford wins WA PGA

Just seven months after a life-threatening health scare Brett Rumford has won his first event on the PGA Tour of Australasia for the year, taking out the WA PGA Championship.

In March Rumford found himself in a South African hospital having 30 centimetres of his small intestine removed due to an apple causing a blockage.

On Sunday he won in Kalgoorlie, in what was his first tournament since The British Open in July.

Rumford started the day with a four shot lead and in a taxing day on course he managed to hold on to shoot on-under 71 and win the title by two shots with a total 16-under 272.

Daniel Fox fired a six-under 66 to finish outright runner-up on 14-under the card.

Ed Stedman also made a final day charge with a seven-under 65 to finish tied third with Daniel Nisbet on 13-under 275.

After a horror year off the course Rumford couldn't quite believe his good fortune.

"What I have been through has been pretty horrendous all year," Rumford said.

"Seven weeks ago I had shingles for six weeks, so I have had very large periods of the year where I haven't picked up a golf club.

"After surgery there was a good 10-11 weeks where I didn't touch a golf club. Even chipping alone, I couldn't hit a chip for 10 weeks.

"It's been a really funny year and certainly the preparation hasn't been anywhere near where what I would have expected to go out and win a championship."