Scott among Aussie legends after win
Converts eagle after weather delay to prevail by four shots
Adam Scott shot a 4-under 67 to win the storm-delayed Australian PGA by four strokes Sunday in Gold Coast.
Scott and playing partner Rickie Fowler marked their balls on the 12th fairway after a severe storm warning suspended play with Scott holding a one-shot lead.
When Scott returned, his iron shot from the fairway nearly holed out for an albatross and he made the 1-foot eagle putt.
Scott was 4 under in his seven holes after the weather suspension. Fowler finished second with a 68.
Making his first appearance in Australia since his April win at The Masters, Scott finished with a 14-under 270 at Royal Pines.
Scott joins Greg Norman, Craig Parry, Peter Lonard, Robert Allenby and Peter Senior as the only Australian golfers to add the Joe Kirkwood Cup for winning the Australian PGA to the Australian Open and Australian Masters titles in their careers. Those three tournaments are considered the Australian majors.
Scott’s shot on the 12th came on a 4-iron from 266 yards.
“I came out and knew I had to do something great to win this,” Scott said. “It’s been an incredible year since April, and so great to come home. I’ve had a great week.”
Fowler said the storm suspension hurt him.
“I had some good momentum going up until we had the rain delay,” Fowler said. “I got to within one and then he came out swinging.”
Other tournaments
McGladrey Classic: Chris Kirk survived a wild back nine to win in St. Simons Island, Ga., thanks to one big mistake by Briny Baird that kept him winless in 365 starts on the PGA Tour. Kirk closed with a 4-under 66 for his second career win, though he received plenty of help from Baird. They were tied for the lead playing the 18th hole at Sea Island when Baird drove into a fairway bunker, the ball below his feet. He topped a 4-iron that went about 90 yards and into a hazard. Kirk only had to make par for a one-shot win over Baird (67) and Tim Clark (62). The victory sends Kirk, who finished at 14-under 266, to the Masters for the first time.
Turkish Airlines Open: France’s Victor Dubuisson won the inaugural event in Antalaya for his first European Tour title, beating Jamie Donaldson of Wales by two strokes. Dubuisson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 24-under 264. Donaldson had a hole in one at the 16th for 63. Tiger Woods (67) and Justin Rose (65) tied for third, four shots back.
LPGA Mizuno Classic: Taiwan’s Teresa Lu won in Shima, Japan, birdieing the final two holes and six of the final eight for a two-stroke victory. Lu, 25, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions. She finished at 14-under 202 and earned $180,000 for her first professional title. South Korea’s Chella Choi, tied with Lu with two holes to play, had a 66 to finish second.
Legends Tour Open: Laurie Rinker won the season-ending event in Palm Harbor, Fla., parring the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Trish Johnson (72), Lorie Kane (72) and Barb Mucha (69). After opening with a 6-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead, Rinker, 51, had a 74 to finish at 5-under 141. She earned $30,000.