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Scott becomes first double winner of Qatar Masters

Adam Scott stormed to an impressive three-shot victory over Swede Henrik Stenson at the US$2.5 million Qatar Masters on Sunday to become the first double winner of the tournament since its inception in 1998.

The Australian, who won in Doha in 2002 as a 21-year-old, produced an astonishing performance on the rain-drenched Doha Golf Club, shooting a course record 11 under par 61 in the final round for a total of 20 under par 268.

Stenson, who won the tournament in 2006, finished runner-up for the second time, the first being in 2005 when Ernie Els took the title.

But the Swede once again proved his consistency on the Gulf circuit, shooting a fine 65 in the final round which gave him a total of 17-under-par 271.

South African Charl Schwartzel placed third after his final round 67 gave him an aggregate of 15-under-par 273.

Apart from taking the winner's cheque of US$416,660, Scott also received a gleaming BMW for setting a new course record. The previous mark of nine under par 63 was shared by Mark Pilkington and Robert Karlsson.

Scott, who came to Doha as the world number eight, will rise to the fifth position when the new rankings were to be announced yesterday.

He began proceedings in spectacular style on Sunday, shooting five successive birdies over the first five holes to set himself up nicely for a winning finish.

He also picked up a shot on the seventh hole and then coming in continuted with his billiant form, picking up birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 17th

Scott's effort was all the more praiseworthy because he had finished on one over par 73 in the first round and climbed up the leaderboard steadily over the next three. He trailed overnight leader Johan Edfors by three strokes going into the finale.

"Obviously I am pleased to win again in Qatar," Scott said. "I think I like the course here, it suits my style.

Scott said his five successive birdies at the start was the key to his success.

"Stringing off five in a row and then to keep it going was good. It put pressure on the others," he said.

"Henrik did everything right. He deserved to win the tournament. It's hard for the guys who were leading," he said.

Overnight leader Edfors' charge faded out in the afternoon and although he managed four birdies, his round was blemished by a bogey on the 12th. But he still finished a creditable fourth.

England's Lee Westwood finished in fifth place on 13 under, while Scot Colin Montgomerie was sixth on 11 under.

"I am very satisfied with my performance. I've been hitting the ball well, didn't putt that well but this week didn't feel like my week," Westwood said.

"I've never really played that great here although I feel I ought to. I struggled on the greens, to read them and get the pace of them," he said.
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