Nick O'Hern holed a bunker shot on the fourth extra hole to win the $1.2 million Australian PGA Championship in a play-off with Peter Lonard and claim only the second win of his lucrative 12-year pro career.

Remarkably, O'Hern's spectacular win came at the same place, the Hyatt Coolum course, where he won his only other title, the 1999 Coolum Classic.

"It was something special," said O'Hern, his voice shaking with emotion.

World No.24 ranked O'Hern gave his army of supporters heart palpitations when he missed a one metre putt on the 72nd hole which would have won him the title in regulation.

Instead the West Australian took a bogey and the joint overnight leaders finished tied on 22-under-par after closing 68s and then parred the tough 18th hole three times in the play-off before O'Hern clinched it.

The massive gallery around the 18th green, which included wife Alana and young daughter Riley, cuddling a monkey, erupted when O'Hern splashed his shot from a back bunker onto the green and saw it run down into the hole.

A relieved O'Hern (66-69-63-68) won't have to answer the inevitable questions about when he will ever win again for a while after overcoming two-time Australian PGA Championship winner Lonard.

O'Hern had earned the title Mr Consistency collecting 56 top 10 finishes on tours around the world since his maiden victory.

Twenty-three of those were either second or third placings.

With two eagles on Sunday and a crucial birdie at the 524m par five 12th hole in his final round he was able to match it with the formidable Lonard.

O'Hern left the door open when he missed a one metre birdie putt at the 16th that would have put him two up with two to play but the slip-up fortunately didn't come back to haunt him as he held his nerve despite the harrowing miss at the 18th.

The $216,000 winner's cheque was enough for O'Hern to clinch his first Australian Order of Merit title from American Kevin Stadler who needed a top three finish to hold him off but finished just outside the top 20 with a closing 66.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP