AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL LEADERBOARD
-18: R McIlroy (NI)
-17: A Scott (Aus)
-11: J Senden (Aus)
-9: B Macpherson (Aus), R Gibson (Aus)
World number six Rory McIlroy birdied the final hole to win his first tournament of 2013 with a dramatic one-shot triumph in the Australian Open.
The Northern Irishman, 24, began the final round four behind Adam Scott, who had led all week at Royal Sydney.
But McIlroy carded a fine 66, featuring an eagle at the seventh and a birdie at the last to win outright on 18 under.
World number two Scott bogeyed the 18th for a 71 to finish on 17 under, six clear of fellow Australian John Senden.
Scott, who broke the course record with a 62 on the opening day, was seeking to become only the second man, after compatriot Robert Allenby in 1995, to complete the Australian triple crown, having won the Australian PGA and Australian Masters titles last month.
But in an intriguing final day tussle on the Championship course it was McIlroy who captured his first event since the World Tour Championship in Dubai in November 2012.
Scott three-putted the first green and his four-stroke advantage had been eroded by the eighth after a fine start by 2012 US Open champion McIlroy, who produced some sparkling iron play.
Having missed a birdie chance from four feet at the seventh, Scott's putt from similar distance lipped out at the next and McIlroy was level after holing from six feet.
The Australian, who won the title in 2009, reached the turn one shot ahead after converting a six-footer for birdie and McIlroy's putt narrowly stayed out.
The final two rounds of the tournament had become something of a matchplay contest between the two biggest stars on show and holes 10 to 12 were parred by both players.
Both had eagle chances at the 13th, Scott's putt shaving the edge of the hole.
Scott had further opportunities to go two ahead, but three-putted from the front of the green at the 16th after McIlroy found a bunker, and then lipped out again at the par three 17th following a superb tee shot, with McIlroy holing a key 10-footer for par.
That meant Scott led by one with one hole to play.
However, the Australian's approach to the 18th green trickled past the flag and down the steep slope behind the green. His chip back was overhit and raced 40 feet past and the effort for par finished fractionally short.
It gave McIlroy a 10-foot putt for the title and he calmly rolled it into the centre of the cup.
"I wanted to get a win and finally I've been able to get one," said McIlroy, who was facing a first winless year since 2008.
"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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