• Australian Masters

Scott defends Melbourne title

Adam Scott survived the challenge from Matt Kuchar to defend his Australian Masters title © Getty Images

Enlarge

Adam Scott survived the challenge of Matt Kuchar to successfully defend his Australian Masters title, recording a two-shot victory at a wind-swept Royal Melbourne.

US Masters champion Scott won his native Australian PGA earlier in November and made it a quick-fire double with an even-par final round of 71 on Sunday, ending his Masters tournament at 14-under-par.

Kuchar was two shots clear with four to play before he went down the 18th level with Scott. However, a double bogey on the last ended his hopes of victory as the American finished with a 68.

Vijay Singh continued his return to form, finishing third with an even-par 71 to finish four shots off the lead.

Scott will now attempt the Australian 'Triple Crown' when he competes in the Australian Open at Royal Sydney in a fortnight's time. However, he will first return to Royal Melbourne and partner Jason Day for Australia at the World Cup.

"I usually like looking at the leaderboard, but it wasn't enjoyable today," Scott said. "I made a lot of errors, but I managed to hang on despite being a little shaky out there."

Kuchar was left rueing his final hole, but admitted losing so late is something a player has to put up with in the game.

"It's never fun, the 72nd hole, but it can happen any time," Kuchar said. "I tried on the last hole to stay aggressive and hit a good quality shot and I thought I had.

"The thing about Royal Melbourne is you can really pay the price for just being off if you play aggressively. It's certainly a rough way to end it but that's kind of the nature of the game."

Meanwhile Jarrod Lyle, who is playing in his first tournament since recovering from a second bout of leukaemia, finished with a 79.

"I played five days in a row, including the pro-am, and the last nine holes I started to feel it," Lyle said. "I got around, and it's not the end I wanted. But it's better than I thought it would be: three good rounds and one shocker, that's golf."

"I played five days in a row, including the pro-am, and the last nine holes I started to feel it," Lyle said. "I got around, and it's not the end I wanted. But it's better than I thought it would be: three good rounds and one shocker, that's golf."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd