Australian Open: Rory triumphs Scott

December 1, 2013. Rory McIlroy beat home turf master Adam Scott to win the Australian Open Trophy by one shot advantage.

The Northern Ireland’s hero, McIlroy claimed his first title of the year in Australia after Scott bogeyed the final hole to lose a tournament he had dominated since the opening day.

[highlight] Delighted to get the win today down under!! Great battle with Adam, absolute pleasure going down the stretch with such a great champion [/highlight]

“Delighted to get the win today down under!! Great battle with Adam, absolute pleasure going down the stretch with such a great champion!” visibly delighted Rory said on the 18th hole.

McIlroy targeted Scott’s four-shot overnight lead in the first eight holes, he sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the 18th to finish on 18-under-par for the tournament with a final round seven-under 66.

Scot was aiming a hat trick of Australian titles after winning the PGA and Masters, missed the chances over the back nine to extend his lead and held just a single-shot advantage heading to the 72nd hole.

Scott, who had led from the first day of the tournament when he smashed the course record with a 10-under 62, finished with a 71 for second place on 17-under, six clear of John Senden (66) in third.

“I’m disappointed to make an error at the last and open the door for Rory,” Scott said. “I was kind of trying to keep it closed all day the best I could.

Bryden Mcpherson and Rhein Gibson, who both shot 69s to share fourth on nine-under, joined fellow Australian Senden in qualifying for next year’s Open Championship at Hoylake.

Scott said his final hole meltdown would not ruin a year in which he became the first Australian to win the US Masters.

“It’s just the way golf is,” the 33-year-old said. “I’m gutted. I felt like I never had a better chance to win the Aussie Open but it was tight the whole back nine. Rory played so good.”