Scott claims Australian PGA to end four-year title drought

Gold Coast: A “stoked” Adam Scott won his first tournament in almost four years Sunday, keeping his cool on the back nine of the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship to clinch a two-shot victory.

The Australian world number 18 had posted more than 20 top-10 finishes since his last success at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March 2016 and, in front of his home crowd at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, sank a birdie on the 14th and an eagle at the next to hold off New Zealander Michael Hendry.

It was Scott’s second Australian PGA title after romping to victory in 2013 ahead of American Rickie Fowler, and partly made amends for his bitter disappointment at being on the losing team at last week’s Presidents Cup.

“After a good save on 12 it was time to do something, I was behind,” said Scott after a three under par 69 gave him a 13-under winning total of 275.

The 39-year-old, who grew up on the Gold Coast, credited the crowd support for helping him finally get back into the winner’s circle.

A gutsy Hendry, who has been struggling with a rib injury, had a one-stroke lead at the 10th, but a bogey-bogey finish ruined his card.

He was fortunate to get through the day with the injury having got progressively worse through the week, causing him discomfort at the top of the backswing.

A group of five players tied for third, three behind Scott, including young Chinese big-hitter Yuan “Carl” Yechun and Australian Wade Ormsby.

Defending champion Cameron Smith finished with a 70 to end his tournament six adrift of Presidents Cup teammate Scott, while American 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink hit a final round 71 to end his first Australian tournament in 16 years nine off the pace.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond dominated the competition on home turf to win the Thailand Masters on Sunday, capping a steller season with his second big victory on the Asian Tour this month.

The 24-year-old rising star stormed ahead to end the final round with a six-under-par 65, finishing the $500,000 tournament with a 23-under total of 261.

Behind him were Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Phachara Khongwatmai, and Belgium’s Thomas Detry -- all with an 18-under total of 266.

Jazz’s victory came after a solid first two days at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya, with rounds of 69 and 67.

But he lit up in the third round with a dazzling 11-under-par 60, scrambling to the top of the leaderboard thanks in part to a seven-hole birdie streak.

On Sunday he quickly extended his lead with birdies on three of the first four holes.

He sank another five birdies throughout the day to hold onto the top spot, pumping his fist after making the final putt.

It’s been a breakout season for Jazz, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

His four titles of the year include the Indonesian Masters a week ago as well as the Singapore and Korea Opens.

Agencies