The 23 year old Australian, a four time winner on The European Tour, carded a final round 70 for a 12 under par total of 276, to narrowly pip Harrington who finished tied second last year and again had to settle for the runners-up berth despite a superb final round 66 for 277.

Harrington, who started the final round tie for 12th place, charged through the field thanks to an astounding back nine of six under par 30, the highlight being an eagle three at the 16th where his superb second shot landed a mere two feet from the pin.

Finished almost an hour before Scott, the Irishman retired to the practice ground as the young Australian, hoping to emulate fellow countrymen Greg Norman and Steve Elkington as winners of The Players Championship, began the demanding final three holes.

A fine pitch from the left of the 16th green gave him a birdie chance from five feet but the ball stayed above ground, just as it did on the famous Island Green 17th but it still left him with a two shot lead coming down the 18th.

All seemed well for the Australian when his drive split the centre of the fairway but, incredibly, he pulled his six iron second shot into the water by the left of the green. It left Scott knowing he had to pitch and putt for a bogey five and victory and he did just that, chipping to ten feet before rolling in the uphill putt.

“Joining Greg and Steve is obviously huge for me,” he said. “But the list is long here at this tournament and I hope this can kick me on to becoming a champion like most of the guys who have won this.

“It takes something to win this tournament and I said that even before I won it because those last three holes are brutal. I don’t get too pumped up on the golf course but when that putt went in at the last, I could have knocked anybody out!”

 


Courtesy of www.europeantour.com