The Telegram (St. John's)

‘Stoked’ Scott ends win drought at Australian PGA Championsh­ip

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MELBOURNE - Home favorite Adam Scott ended a victory drought of nearly four years on Sunday when he eased to a twostroke win at the Australian PGA Championsh­ip.

Overnight leader by a stroke, the former world no. 1 shot a three-under 69 to finish with a 13-under total of 275 at Royal Pine Resort for his first win since the 2016 Wgc-cadillac Championsh­ip in Florida.

It was also Scott’s second win in the A$1.5 million ($1.03 million) event on the Gold Coast, having claimed the 2013 trophy with a four-stroke win over

American Rickie Fowler.

“There were opportunit­ies for everyone but I was the one who took them today so I’m stoked with this,” a beaming Scott said after tapping in the winning putt.

“This has been a long time coming but I’m really happy to win another PGA here.”

Australia’s first Masters champion began slowly and fell back into a chasing pack after bogeying the eighth hole.

New Zealander Michael Hendry

snatched the outright lead on the back nine but Scott rose to the challenge with a birdie on the par-three 14th and an eagle on the par-five 15th to give himself a two-stroke cushion.

Runner-up Hendry cut Scott’s lead to a stroke by curling in a birdie on the 16th but crashed out with bogeys on the last two holes to allow the Australian a carefree walk up the 18th fairway.

The win was a relief for Scott, who had played his most consistent season in years but was frustrated by two runner-up finishes on the U.S. tour in 2019.

He had also tasted disappoint­ment last week at the Presidents

Cup as a member of the Internatio­nal team that was overhauled on the final Sunday by the Tiger Woods-captained United States at Royal Melbourne.

“The old dog has wised up a little,” he quipped.

“To finish it off, kind of off the back of the (Presidents Cup), was really good and I’m very excited for next year.”

Double defending champion Cameron Smith’s bid for a hattrick of titles at the European Tour co-sanctioned event never got going on Sunday as he battled through a bogey-laden 70.

The 26-year-old Australian finished tied for 10th, six strokes behind Scott.

 ?? REUTERS ?? Adam Scott of Australia in action on the 4th hole during final round play at the Masters earlier this year.
REUTERS Adam Scott of Australia in action on the 4th hole during final round play at the Masters earlier this year.

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