Scott wins first home title
Source: Agencies |
December 7, 2009, Monday
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Print Edition
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ADAM Scott held off Stuart Appleby to win the Australian Open title by five shots yesterday, recording his first tournament victory in over 19 months.
It was also the first professional title on home soil for Australian Scott, who has slipped from third to No. 54 in the world rankings after a poor year on the PGA Tour where he missed 10 cuts in 19 events.
Scott fired a level-par 72 for a 15-under 273 total to finish ahead of compatriot Appleby (75), with American Bryce Molder (68), New Zealander Michael Long (70) and Aussie Nick O'Hearn (74) tied a distant third nine shots off the lead in Sydney.
"It is very special to win here, it has taken me a while," Scott told reporters after his final round. "I have worked really hard and I have been saying it all year even though I have been paying terribly but it pays off, you have to stick with it."
Starting the day with a two-shot lead over Appleby, Scott began nervously, dropping a shot at the first as Appleby birdied to bring the duo level.
However, the 29-year-old regained his composure to fire three birdies in his next four holes, regaining the advantage as Appleby dropped shots at the third, sixth and seventh. As the wind strengthened Appleby continued to struggle, dropping shots at the 10th and 12th as Scott took a seven-stroke lead.
However, missed short putts at the 13th and 16th by Scott and a birdie for Appleby at the 14th narrowed the deficit to three.
Eased the pressure
A bogey at 17 by Appleby eased the pressure on Scott, who finished in style with a birdie at the par-five last.
It was a 15th worldwide title for the Australian, who had not won since the Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour in April 2008.
In Khon Kaen, Thailand, Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory after winning a drama-filled three-way playoff at the King's Cup yesterday.
Chan birdied the second playoff hole from five feet to edge England's Nick Redfern and Simon Yates of Scotland.
The Taipei resident had a final round two-under 70 for a 14-under 274 total which was matched by Redfern, who shot a blistering 66, which included a double bogey on 17, and Yates, who returned a 68 in the season's final event.
The trio posted matching pars on the first extra hole but Chan rose to the occasion with an exquisite approach for his winning birdie putt to claim the US$47,550 top prize.
It was also the first professional title on home soil for Australian Scott, who has slipped from third to No. 54 in the world rankings after a poor year on the PGA Tour where he missed 10 cuts in 19 events.
Scott fired a level-par 72 for a 15-under 273 total to finish ahead of compatriot Appleby (75), with American Bryce Molder (68), New Zealander Michael Long (70) and Aussie Nick O'Hearn (74) tied a distant third nine shots off the lead in Sydney.
"It is very special to win here, it has taken me a while," Scott told reporters after his final round. "I have worked really hard and I have been saying it all year even though I have been paying terribly but it pays off, you have to stick with it."
Starting the day with a two-shot lead over Appleby, Scott began nervously, dropping a shot at the first as Appleby birdied to bring the duo level.
However, the 29-year-old regained his composure to fire three birdies in his next four holes, regaining the advantage as Appleby dropped shots at the third, sixth and seventh. As the wind strengthened Appleby continued to struggle, dropping shots at the 10th and 12th as Scott took a seven-stroke lead.
However, missed short putts at the 13th and 16th by Scott and a birdie for Appleby at the 14th narrowed the deficit to three.
Eased the pressure
A bogey at 17 by Appleby eased the pressure on Scott, who finished in style with a birdie at the par-five last.
It was a 15th worldwide title for the Australian, who had not won since the Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour in April 2008.
In Khon Kaen, Thailand, Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory after winning a drama-filled three-way playoff at the King's Cup yesterday.
Chan birdied the second playoff hole from five feet to edge England's Nick Redfern and Simon Yates of Scotland.
The Taipei resident had a final round two-under 70 for a 14-under 274 total which was matched by Redfern, who shot a blistering 66, which included a double bogey on 17, and Yates, who returned a 68 in the season's final event.
The trio posted matching pars on the first extra hole but Chan rose to the occasion with an exquisite approach for his winning birdie putt to claim the US$47,550 top prize.
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