BEIJING, Apr. 24 – Australia’s Adam Scott held on his early lead on Sunday to win the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament in Beijing.
Australia’s Adam Scott held on his early lead on Sunday to win the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament in Beijing.
The world number 10 had led from the start of the 2.3 million US dollars event but he met in the last round tough challenge from South Africa’s Retief Goosen, who closed to within one shot.
Scott’s nerve held, however, and he produced a gritty even-par 72 to finish on an 18-under total of 270, giving him his ninth career title.
“Today was tough in the wind but I did what I needed to do and I’m proud of myself for that,” said Scott. “It wasn’t looking good at one point, down to one shot.”
US Open champion Goosen settled for second place on 15-under after a closing 70 while three men tied for third a further two strokes back.
Scott set a course record with a 63 in the first round and his halfway total of 15-under 129 matched the tournament best for the first 36 holes.
The majority of players were finishing their third rounds early on Sunday after heavy winds forced the abandonment of play in Thursday’s first round at Beijing’s Pine Valley.
Scott’s victory earned him 388,000 dollars and took his career prize money to more than 7 million dollars.
South Africa’s Richard Sterne, former champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand and Swede Henrik Stenson tied for third on 13-under 275.
World number three and twice champion Ernie Els of South Africa finished joint sixth with Britain’s Colin Montgomerie and Australian Brett Rumford a further shot behind.
The event was jointly sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian tours.
By www.xinhuanet.com
