Meronk overhauls Scott in Australia

Home favourite Adam Scott missed out on a second Australian Open title as playing partner Adrian Meronk surged to victory in Melbourne.

Scott, the 2009 champion, held a oneshot lead going into the final round at Victoria GC but – while he struggled to a two-overpar 72 – Meronk shot 66 to win by five strokes.

Meronk finished in style with an eagle – as Scott had done the previous two days – to reach 14 under par.

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

“I’m so grateful, thank you for all the support and I enjoyed this week so much.”

Min Woo Lee was third, a shot behind compatriot Scott on eight under, with Haydn Barron and Spain’s Alejandro Canizares sharing fourth on seven under.

Irishman Conor Purcell finished in a tie for seventh at five under after a closing 71.

South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai won the women’s event, finishing one stroke ahead of South Korea’s Jiyai Shin after shooting 73 on a tricky final day.

Meanwhile, Thriston Lawrence held his nerve to win the Investec South African Open after threatening to squander a commanding lead at Blair Atholl near Johannesburg.

The home favourite held a five-stroke advantage with five holes to play but was made to sweat as nearest rival Clement Sordet drew level on the 16th.

However, the latter bogeyed the next and was unable to force a play-off, leaving Lawrence to celebrate a third DP World Tour title.

Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring birdied two of the last three holes to finish a shot behind Sordet in third.

Scot Scott Jamieson finished on eight under after a closing 71, while Marc Warren posted a 76 to finish one over.