• Australian Open

McIlroy lands dramatic victory, denies Scott triple crown

ESPN staff
December 1, 2013
Rory McIlroy said he had built confidence throughout the passing weeks © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy ended his wait for a trophy in 2013 after recording a dramatic one-shot victory at the Australian Open.

McIloy started his round four shots off Adam Scott's lead, but carded a birdie on the last hole to be crowned champion. The Northern Irishman finished 18-under-par overall following a final round of 66.

Roll on 2014

  • What a finish that was. There is nothing better in the professional game than witnessing the finest players on the planet going hammer and tongs down the back-nine on the final day of a tournament.
  • For Rory McIlroy, he will head back to Northern Ireland to spend Christmas with family and friends where he will reflect on a largely disappointing season.
  • But this win could be just the boost he needs to kick-start a positive 2014 campaign. He looks to have sorted his off-field problems now and, with McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day and Justin Rose all heading into 2014 in form, it's shaping up to be some year.
  • Alex Perry, ESPN

Scott bogeyed the last to finish at 17-under after having his lead cut down at the eighth.

The Australian, who won the event in 2009, overhit his approach at the 18th, before chipping within 40 feet. McIlroy needed no second invitation to hole his putt for the title, which is his first tournament victory since the World Tour Championship in 2012/

"I wanted to get a win and finally I've been able to get one," McIlroy said. "More satisfying than that is being able to take one of the best players in the world down the stretch and come out on top.

"Adam is a phenomenal golfer, a great competitor and probably an even better guy. I feel a bit sorry that I was the one that ruined the triple crown for him.

"I've been building confidence for a few weeks now. When I went to Asia I started to play really well. I've worked hard, I've put the hours in and I've practised hard and finally it's turned around for me."

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