Peter Senior might have been "leaking oil" on the home stretch in the final round of the Australian PGA Championship but he had enough fuel in the tank to break a six-year winning drought.

Tears welled in his eyes as the 44-year-old Senior walked off Coolum's 18th green after three putting for a one shot victory over fellow Queenslander Rod Pampling.

It was a richly deserved win for the popular Senior, who last tasted success in a major tournament in 1997 when he claimed the Canon Challenge.

"I was leaking a bit of oil coming home," smiled Senior, who started the day with a five shot lead in the $1 million event on the Sunshine Coast.

"I'm just glad there weren't any more holes."

Senior - who has worked tirelessly on his game with Gold Coast coach and close friend Gary Edwin in recent years - finished with a round of 73 for a 17-under total of 271.

Pampling missed a long birdie putt on the final hole which would have forced a play-off.

He finished one shot ahead of third-placed Craig Parry, whose gallant challenge ended in the water at the 14th hole after he attacked a difficult pin placement.

Senior admitted he would have liked to have won in style with a par on the 18th, which had been his nemesis over the years.

"But it's been a long time between drinks and I'm over the moon," he said.

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