SIMON WHITLOCK'S run of success on the DPA circuit continued with victory in Saturday's Tooheys Open.
Whitlock extended his lead at the top of the DPA Order of Merit with victory over Paul Nicholson in the final at the Illawarra Yacht Club.
Fresh from his 13-9 win in their head-to-head on Friday, Whitlock overcame Nicholson 7-3 on Saturday to claim the $1,000 first prize.
Whitlock also defeated England's Kevin McDine 6-4 in the semis, saw off Matt Kaletta 5-0 in the quarter-finals and Brian Roach 4-2 in the last 16.
Nicholson saw off Kiwi pair Preston Ridd and Warren French in reaching the final, as well as defeating former Oceanic Masters winner Barry Jouannet in the last 16.
McDine competed in Illawarra ahead of next weekend's Australian Open Players Championship, to be held at the Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney.
Play continues on Sunday with the DPA-ranked 180Poker.com Open at the Illawarra Yacht Club.
Tooheys Open
Last 16
Dave Muller 4-3 Phil Bottrell
Preston Ridd 4-1 Russell Stewart
Warren French 4-0 Ray O'Donnell
Paul Nicholson 4-1 Barry Jouannet
Daniel Sim 4-3 Mike Merz
Kevin McDine 4-1 Tony Crampton
Simon Whitlock 4-2 Brian Roach
Matt Kaletta 4-0 Arnel Galvez
Quarter-Finals
Preston Ridd 5-4 Dave Muller
Paul Nicholson 5-3 Warren French
Kevin McDine 5-1 Daniel Sim
Simon Whitlock 5-0 Matt Kaletta
Losers $100
Semi-Finals
Paul Nicholson 6-2 Preston Ridd
Simon Whitlock 6-4 Kevin McDine
Losers $200
Final
Simon Whitlock 7-3 Paul Nicholson
Winner $1000
Runner-Up $400