GREG NORMAN curled home a 15 foot birdie putt on the final green in Scottsdale, Arizona yesterday to beat Scott Hoch by one hole and win $1 million at the World Championship of Golf matchplay final.

The Australian never trailed in the match but squandered a five shot advantage and had to battle his American rival over the second half of the 36 hole final.

Hoch took $500,000 from the $3.65 million event, which offers golf's largest purse. Players claimed $2.28 million in prizemoney at global qualifying last year.

"I like this event. We don't have enough matchplay opportunities," Norman said. "I would like it better if everything were played in the same week instead of over several months."

With $500,000 million at stake, Norman rolled in the pressure putt from the right side on the 18th hole of the afternoon round. He drove into desert sand but recovered to land his approach 15 feet from the cup.

"I'm not hitting the ball as far as I would like to but I am getting my accuracy back," said Norman.

Norman was 5-up through 1-5 holes but lost five of the next six to squander the advantage. Hoch won the first three holes of the afternoon round with pars.

They halved the next eight tension filled holes in a row to stand all square after 29. The best stroke in the stretch came when Hoch sank a 40 foot chip to halve the 24th hole.

Norman dropped a four foot putt, his first birdie of the afternoon round, on the 30th hole to go 1 up. But he missed an eight foot putt on the 33rd hole. Hoch took advantage by making a sixfooter to square the match.

Hoch was short on an eight foot putt on the 34th hole that would have put him ahead for the first time in the match. Norman tapped home a four footer to halve. They also halved the 17th to set up the final drama.

Japan's Hisayuki Sasaki beat Sam Torrance 2 and 1 in the 18 hole consolation match. Sasaki won $350,000 while Torrance took home $300,000.