Scott birdies the last to win in SA

Australian prodigy, Adam Scott, held his nerve right until the final hole of the Alfred Dunhill Championship to pick up his first…

Australian prodigy, Adam Scott, held his nerve right until the final hole of the Alfred Dunhill Championship to pick up his first professional victory.

Scott, who led by one overnight, closed with a 69 for 21-under total of 267, picking up birdies at the 14th, 16th and 18th to hold off English youngster Justin Rose's brave challenge.

Scotland's Dean Robertson and six-times major winner Nick Faldo finished in a tie for third a shot behind Rose with defending champion Anthony Wall another shot back in fifth.

Sheffield's Malcolm Mackenzie claimed sixth place on 17 under with Spanish Open champion Brian Davis tied seventh with local favourite Retief Goosen.

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Scott's victory was his first as a professional in just his ninth event on the European Tour since joining the paid ranks in June last season.

The 20-year-old Queenslander, just 14 days older than Rose, looked to be cruising to victory when he opened up a four-shot lead after his third birdie of the day on the fifth.

But the man dubbed the white Tiger Wood then three-putted both the ninth and 10th to see his lead down to one with Rose recovering from dropping a shot on the first with birdies at the fifth and ninth.

It was then a case of unlucky for some 13 when Scott's approach hit the flag and bounced back off the front of the green, his par putt also lipping out, while Rose birdied from 20 feet to suddenly take the lead.

Scott then showed his class on the next with a wonderful curling birdie putt to get back on level terms. Both players then birdied the 16th before Scott also birdied the last for the win after Rose's effort just missed from 10 feet. - PA