Young American Jordan Spieth dominated the final round to win the Australian Open by six shots yesterday and leave world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and third-ranked Adam Scott in his wake.
Spieth carded a sizzling course record of eight-under-63 to finish the A$1.25 million (US$1.06 million) OneAsia co-sanctioned tournament at 13-under-par 271.
It was 21-year-old Texan’s second career tournament win and his first since last year’s triumph at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.
Photo: EPA
Spieth was runner-up at the Masters in April behind fellow American Bubba Watson, just missing out on being the first Masters rookie to win since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
Spieth took a grip on the final round with three consecutive birdies from the fifth to the seventh holes to go nine under and led overnight coleader Brett Rumford by three at the turn.
He had few problems holding on to his advantage in the homeward nine with four more birdies in his closing five holes to post his best tournament victory.
With his comprehensive victory, Spieth’s world ranking is expected to climb from 14 to 11.
Australian Rod Pampling finished second at seven-under-par 277, with Brett Rumford third on six-under-par 278 and Greg Chalmers in fourth on five-under-par 279.
Scott lost momentum with a double-bogey seven at the fifth hole to drop back to 2-under-par and could make little headway on the tearaway leader to finish fifth with four-under-par 280.
The world No. 3 had to take a penalty drop for an unplayable lie after blocking his tee shot into rough and then hooked his next shot back into the trees on the left.
He speared through a narrow opening, but was unable to get up and down, the double-bogey leaving Scott five behind Spieth at that stage.
Defending champion McIlroy, who beat Scott with a birdie at the final hole at Royal Sydney last year, struggled with the course and the windy conditions and failed to make a final round charge, finishing joint 15th, 15 strokes behind Spieth.
The Northern Irishman had a total of 15 birdies, an eagle, 14 bogeys, one double bogey and a disastrous triple bogey this week at the Open.
Only eight players finished under par over the 72 holes at the demanding Jack Nicklaus designed course.
Spieth joins past winners of the Stonehaven Cup such as greats Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Tom Watson and Peter Thomson.
He is the first American since Brad Faxon in 1993 to win the Australian Open.
Last year Spieth won the John Deere Classic at age 19, becoming the first teen winner of a USPGA Tour event since 1931.
US President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, is poised to make her LPGA Tour debut after receiving a sponsor invitation on Tuesday to the Nov. 13 to 16 tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Kai Trump said in a statement posted on the LPGA’s Web site. “This event will be an incredible experience,” she said. “I look forward [to] meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.” The 18-year-old high-school senior,
REACTION: Less than 24 hours after a 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays’ win ensured that the best-of-seven series is to head back to Toronto for Game 6 tomorrow Vladimir Guerrero Jr on Tuesday blasted a two-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 and tie the MLB World Series at two games apiece. Less than 24 hours after a shattering 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays climbed off the canvas to breathe new life into their hopes of a first MLB title in 32 years. Guerrero’s two-run blast off Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani and a superb pitching performance from ace Shane Bieber laid the foundations for a gutsy victory that silenced Dodger Stadium. “I’m always trying to compete
Jannik Sinner on Thursday eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round. A maiden crown in the French capital would return Sinner to No. 1 in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the
Jemimah Rodrigues on Thursday hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia to set up a Women’s World Cup final against South Africa. Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at DY Patil Stadium, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The hosts finished on a total of 341-5 in reply to Australia’s impressive 338 and ensured there would be a new name on the 50-over trophy tomorrow. Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations
RSS