SUTTON, Mass. – Kirk Hanefeld of Westford didn’t let a little adversity bother him.

The defending champion of the $75,000 81st New England PGA Championship fell two shots off the pace when he double bogeyed the 10th hole, but came back to go 2-under-par over the final eight holes and pull out a two-shot victory to win the $12,000 first prize.

Hanefeld posted a 4-under 68 Thursday to finish at 7-under 209 two shots better than host professional Gary Young of Sutton and Bob Darling of Lewiston, Maine., each of whom held the lead on the back nine.

“There were plenty of holes left, so I felt I still had a chance,” said Hanefeld, who came right back with a birdie on No. 11.

Mike Baker, an assistant golf pro at Bangor Municipal Golf Course, finished fourth, three strokes behind Hanefeld.