• Australian Masters, Round Four

Appleby victorious as Tiger finds his form

Stuart Appleby last won a title in Australia in 2001 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Tiger's hopes wash away in Melbourne
  
• Profile: Sergio Garcia | Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods will end the year without a title for the first time in his professional career after failing to defend his Australian Masters title in Melbourne.

Woods was left with a mountain to climb after trailing third-round leader Adam Bland by ten strokes heading into the final day, but despite his best round he was unable to mount a challenge as Stuart Appleby claimed victory on home soil.

Woods' eagle on the final hole capped off a stunning finish including two eagles and two birdies on his final six holes to finish six-under for the day and seven-under for the tournament, three shots off the pace. The world No. 2 had been struggling with his putting in Melbourne, but after a strong finish believes he is slowly getting back to his best.

"I can do this in streaks," Woods said. "Unfortunately I haven't done this for an entire round yet. That's one of the things when you are making changes in the game - it takes time. I'm pleased at some of the progress I have made because the streaks are now lasting longer, but I still to do it for an entire round. And it was obvious here that I didn't do it for all 72 holes."

Appleby's birdie-birdie finish saw him snatch victory from overnight leader Bland, who could only manage a two-over 73 in his final round. Bland missed an eagle putt on the 18th which would have forced a play-off, but had to settle for second, one ahead of Daniel Gaunt.

Having started the final round seven shots behind Bland, Appleby was delighted to claim the winner's gold jacket on home soil.

"I was pretty comfortable, I liked the way my game matured this week," Appleby said. "I was just trying to keep moving forward and applying pressure and see what happens."

Sergio Garcia improved on his third-round 77 with a birdie on his final hole to card 70, but finished well off the pace on one-over for the tournament.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.