Giant Pole wins

Meronk downs aussie Scott down Under

MELBOURNE: Poland’s Adrian Meronk drained an eagle putt at the last hole for a five-stroke win in the Australian Open, while South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai held on to win the women’s tournament in Melbourne yesterday.

Meronk, the world number 56, confirmed his victory with a putt from off the 18th green to finish a clear winner over his golfing idol Adam Scott at Victoria Golf Club.

The giant Pole carded his eagle and four birdies to finish at four-under 66 and pull away from former Masters champion Scott, who lost his winning chance with a double-bogey six at the 17th hole.

“I’m super excited and to finish like that on the 18th hole is just unreal,” Meronk said.

“I felt really good again today. I kept doing what I’ve done the last two days and it worked pretty well.

Meronk made history by becoming the first player from Poland to win on the DP World Tour with victory in this year’s Irish Open by three strokes after finishing joint runner-up at last year’s Italian Open.

British Open champion Buhai held off the fast-finishing Shin Jiyai to win the women’s tournament by one shot.

Buhai, the world number 28, led by four shots at one stage but had to withstand a big finish from the South Korean, who had an eightfoot putt on the final hole to force a play-off, only to narrowly miss.

Australia’s Grace Kim was tied for the lead going to the 18th hole before a double-bogey seven dashed her late flurry.