GOLD COAST, Australia (AFP) - American Harold Varner III claimed his first professional victory at the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday on the Gold Coast by two strokes.

The 26-year-old, who lost in a three-way play-off in last year's event, fired rounds of 65, 72, 67 and 65 for a total of 19-under 269.

He prevailed on the final day with nine birdies in a seven-under round to beat Australian overnight leader Andrew Dodt to win the European Tour co-sanctioned golf tournament at the Royal Pines Resort.

Dodt, who led for three rounds, finished with a 69 to take outright second on 271.

World No. 7 and 2013 Augusta Masters champion Adam Scott carded his best round of the week, a 67, to finish in third place on 273.

Varner came closest to winning his first top-level pro event when runner-up after a three-way play-off with Dylan Frittelli and eventual 2015 champion Nathan Holman a year ago.

"I just wanted to find a way to birdie every hole," he said. "After last year it feels good back to come back and finish it off."

Varner, ranked 184 in the world, posted four top-10 finishes last season with more than US$1.3 million (S$1.85 million) in prize money.

But he said none of that compared to his breakthrough Australian victory.

"Obviously top-10s you get money but it's just hard to win. I don't care where you tee it up... this is pretty special," he said.

The A$250,000 (S$264,650) winner's cheque also gave him entry to the WGC's Bridgestone Invitational next year in his home town of Akron, Ohio, as well a two-year exemption onto the European Tour.

Varner, starting two shots behind overnight leader Dodt, hit the front on the eighth, but then bogeyed the 14th to go back into a tie for the lead.

However, birdies on the 15th and 17th edged him clear despite Dodt going bogey-free and three under in the final round.

Australian Ashley Hall was fourth on 14-under with compatriot Brett Rumford fifth on 10-under.