McIlroy captures Australian Open
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, December 3, 2013
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after missing a putt in the final round of the Australian Open on his way to victory at the Royal Sydney course yesterday. He shot a 6-under 66. |
Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th hole to snatch victory from Adam Scott at the Australian Open yesterday, winning for the first time in 2013 and denying Scott the rare Australian triple crown.
McIlroy started the last round four shots behind Scott but drew level when he eagled the seventh and birdied the eighth.
Scott went a shot ahead with a birdie at the ninth then the pair went shot for shot over the back nine before the tournament's dramatic climax on the final hole.
Scott's approach shot went over the back of the green and his resultant chip went well past the hole, with two putts bringing a bogey. McIlroy hit his approach to 10 feet and sank the putt to claim victory by a shot and end his long wait for a trophy.
"I wanted to get a win and finally I've been able to get one," McIlroy said. "But more satisfying than that is being able to take one of the best players in the world down the stretch and come out on top."
Scott was attempting to be only the second player after compatriot Robert Allenby in 2005 to win Australia's triple crown by claiming the Australian Open, Masters and PGA titles in the same season.
He carried his form from the Masters and PGA tournaments into the Open, shattering the course record with a 10-under par 62 in his opening round.
He came into the final day at 16-under par, with rounds of 62, 70 and 68, four shots ahead of McIlroy who was a further four shots ahead of the next challenger. That effectively made yesterday's final round a shootout between the No. 2-ranked Scott and Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who was the world's top-ranked player last year.
McIlroy (66) finished with an 18-under tally of 270, a shot ahead of Scott (71) who was a further six shots ahead of Australian John Senden at 11 under.
In Jakarta, Gaganjeet Bhullar shot an unblemished 3-under 68 to win the Indonesia Open by three shots yesterday for his first Asian Tour title of the year.
The Indian opened with 10 straight pars but put on a strong back-nine performance highlighted by three birdies to triumph at the US$750,000 event.
Malaysia's Nicholas Fung tied for second on 66 with Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, who shot two eagles yesterday at Damai Indah Golf. They ended on 271, three strokes behind the leader.
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