Poland’s Meronk downs Scott to win Australian Open crown

MELBOURNE: Poland’s Adrian Meronk drained an eagle put at the last hole for a five-stroke win in the Australian Open, while South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai held on to win the women’s tournament in Melbourne on Sunday.

Meronk, the world number 56, confirmed his victory with a put from off the 18th green to finish a clear winner over his Golfing idol Adam Scot at Victoria Golf Club.

The giant Pole carded his eagle and four birdies to finish at four-under 66 and pull away from former Masters champion Scot, who lost his winning chance with a double-bogey six at the 17th hole.

“I’m super excited and to finish like that on the 18th hole is just unreal,” Meronk said.

“I felt really good again today. I kept doing what I’ve done the last two days and it worked prety well.

“I’m super proud of myself, proud of my team and super happy right now.”

Meronk made history by becoming the first player from Poland to win on the DP World Tour with victory in this year’s Irish Open by three strokes ater finishing joint runner-up at last year’s Italian Open.

He zoomed into contention with nine birdies in a course record-equalling seven-under 63 in Saturday’s third round and was rock solid throughout the final round.

The Pole overcome a horror start in his opening round on Thursday, falling to four-over par through his opening seven holes before he clawed his way back into the tournament to claim an emphatic victory.

Despite an eagle finish on the final hole in the second and third rounds to take the overnight lead and driving consistently well off the tee, Scot struggled to give himself enough good looks at birdie puts as he chased his second Australian Open title.

British Open champion Buhai held off the fastfinishing Jiyai Shin to win the women’s tournament by one shot.

Buhai, the world number 28, led by four shots at one stage but had to withstand a big finish from the South Korean, who had an eight-foot put on the final hole to force a play-off, only to narrowly miss.

Australia’s Grace Kim was tied for the lead going to the 18th hole before a double-bogey seven dashed her late flurry.

Buhai carded four birdies and five bogeys to finish with one-over 73, but it was still enough to claim victory.