Greg Chalmers wins Emirates Australian Open

Greg Chalmers held off a world-class field including Tiger Woods to win the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. It's the second time the Australian has taken the Stonehaven Cup.

Chalmers began the day two strokes behind John Senden but he got off to a flier with three birdies. After seven holes he was two ahead.

The 38-year-old held on to his advantage despite a charge from Tiger Woods. The former world number 1, closed to within just one shot after making an eagle on the 14th.

"I took a look at a leaderboard and saw he had got to nine under through 10," said Chalmers. "That's probably why I then missed a putt from three feet."

But Tiger's assault on the leaderboard ran out of steam and he was forced to settle for third place. The American was left to rue a disappointing third round 75 that effectively cost him the chance of the title.

"It was just a couple of holes on the back nine today and I putted awful yesterday," said Woods. "Otherwise I would have been right there. I was disappointed yesterday and I found some of the old keys on Sunday."

Woods will head into next week's Presidents Cup with some much needed confidence after contending in a strokeplay event for the first time since the US Masters.

"I had the lead at Augusta on the Sunday and that was the last time I've been in that spot," he said. "It's been a long time and I haven't played a lot of tournaments inbetween."

For Chalmers it was a second Australian Open title. He won the event back in 1998.

"I am extremely excited and extremely pleased to have won this tournament twice," Chalmers said. "To go out there and get it done over the last two days and shoot eight under for the weekend, that does something for me."

John Senden eventually claimed second place, one shot behind Chalmers and one ahead of Woods.

Emirates Australian Open The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney Nov 10-13, purse $1,500,000, par 72

1   Greg Chalmers (Aus)   67   72   67   69   275   $270,000 2   John Senden (Aus)   70   71   63   72   276   $153,000 3   Tiger Woods (USA)   68   67   75   67   277   $101,250 T4   Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)   70   74   70   65   279   $55,500 T4   Nick O'Hern (Aus)   69   72   66   72   279   $55,500 T4   Adam Scott (Aus)      69   71   71   68   279   $55,500 T4   Jason Day (Aus)      69   68   68   74   279   $55,500 T4   Nick Watney (USA)   66   73   68   72   279   $55,500 T9   Aaron Baddeley (Aus)   73   71   67   69   280   $39,000 T9   Ryan Haller (Aus)      70   73   65   72   280   $39,000

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