Stuart Appleby wins Aussie Masters

Melbourne: An unflustered Stuart Appleby Sunday overtook the faltering Adam Bland and Daniel Gaunt to upstage champion Tiger Woods and win the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Club by one shot.

The 39-year-old Appleby shot a six-under 65, which included 30-foot putts on the 16th hole to save par and 17th to make a birdie, to record a 10-under 274 and hold off the challenge of the overnight leader Bland (73) and Gaunt (71).

Woods, who was paid a reported $3 million (Dh11 million) appearance fee finished fourth after he shot a 65, his equal-best round of the year, to end on seven-under 277.

Appleby, who had started seven shots behind Bland, clawed his way into contention with six birdies, including one on the final hole to give himself a two-shot cushion to ensure he snatched the A$270,000 (Dh976,672) winner's purse from his fellow Australians.

Pressure tactics

"I was pretty comfortable, I liked the way my game matured this week," the gold-jacket wearing Appleby told reporters of his final round. "I was just trying to keep moving forward and applying pressure and see what happens."

Bland had held a share of the lead since the first round but he was unable to maintain his consistency yesterday. He had a chance to force a playoff on the 18th but his 12-foot eagle putt drifted just left of the hole.