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Tiger tames Australia

Tiger claims yellow jacket, intends to return Down Under

Last updated: 15th November 2009

Champion: Woods wears yellow jacket

We had a few critics at the time, but I don't think anyone would doubt the correctness of the decision

Victorian premier John Brumby
Quotes of the week

Final leaderboard:
-14 T Woods
-12 G Chalmers
-10 F Delamontagne
-10 J Dufner
-9 J Nitties

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Tiger Woods enjoyed a winning foray into Australia as he claimed the JBWere Australian Masters at Kingston Heath.

The world number one carded a final round 68 at the historic 6455-metre, par-72 layout in Melbourne's renowned sandbelt to claim the title by two shots from Greg Chalmers.

Australian Chalmers, who was joint leader alongside Woods and compatriot James Nitties, carded a final round 70 to claim outright second.

Francois Delamontagne of France elevated himself from amongst the also-rans with scores of 68 and 69 over the weekend to claim a share of third place on 10-under with Jason Dufner (70), while Nitties (73) rounded out the top five at nine-under.

Customary red

Clad in his customary Sunday red, Woods constructed a copybook birdie at the first to signal that Saturday's misadventures, when he carded a frustrating and unsatisfactory 72, were well and truly behind him.

In fine, warm conditions, the 14-time major winner made his move with successive birdies at five and six.

First, he offered his huge gallery the thrills they were craving with a long iron to the pin for a gimme at the 351-metre par-four fifth for the outright lead, followed by a pitching wedge to inches at the next for a tap-in to extend it.

Woods' most telling shot of the day was at the par-five 12th when he smashed a fairway wood from 268 metres to within four metres of the flag, setting up another birdie for a three-shot break on his rivals.

A furious Woods blamed an over-enthusiastic photographer for his wayward approach which was to cost him a shot at 13 - his one blemish for the round - and a par at the par-five 14th was an opportunity lost.

But when he holed a three-metre birdie putt at the 142-metre par-three 15th, the door was effectively slammed shut on his rivals.

"I would certainly love to come back," Woods said when asked at the presentation if he would defend his title next year.

"I haven't looked at next year's tournament schedule yet. I will do that after the Chevron and get an idea of what I need to do for the entire year."

Birdies

The winner was kept honest by Chalmers, who managed a couple of early birdies and remained thereabouts despite a dropped shot at the 173-metre par-three eighth.

What really hurt the 36-year-old, however, was his failure to convert two gilt-edged birdie opportunities when he most needed them at 14 and 16.

Woods' victory was warmly welcomed by Victorian premier John Brumby whose state government attracted criticism for agreeing to underwrite Woods' AUS 3 million appearance fee which was double the prize pool for the event.

"We had a few critics at the time, but I don't think anyone would doubt the correctness of the decision," Brumby said afterwards.

Adam Bland's 67 was the best of Sunday's rounds while two former Masters champions, Craig Spence, the 1999 winner and Aaron Baddeley (2007) both matched Woods' 68.

Defending title-holder Rod Pampling fired a final-round 73 to finish equal-14th at minus-four overall.