Tim Clark sneaked through to claim victory in the Australian Open after scoring a sudden-death play-off victory over Mathew Goggin.
South African defeats Goggin in play-off
Tim Clark sneaked through to claim victory in the Australian Open after scoring a sudden-death play-off victory over Mathew Goggin.
The South African forced extra holes having shot a final-round five-under-par 67 at a windswept Royal Sydney.
He then went on to claim the Stonehaven Cup thanks largely to a miraculous sand-save on the first extra hole.
Goggin was therefore forced to make a testing three-foot putt to stay alive, but the Tasmanian's effort was unsuccessful and he had to settle for the runner-up spot for the second-straight week.
That Clark and Goggin found themselves in a play-off was also helped by the late capitulation of third-round leader David Smail.
Unravelled
Having built a three-shot lead, the New Zealander's round unravelled with consecutive double bogeys at the 15th and 16th holes.
Wayward tee shots which found the trees were to blame in both instances, with Smail forced to chip out on to the fairway at the latter.
Clark had earlier rolled in seven birdies in his opening 13 holes.
But his chances of victory nevertheless appeared scuppered when he dropped three shots in consecutive holes, starting with a double bogey from the greenside bunker at the 13th.
The 32-year-old steadied his nerves, however, and proceeded to post birdies at the final two holes to move to a nine-under total.
Goggin, who also finished runner-up in last week's Australian PGA Championship, ghosted into contention after a closing three-under 69.
Robert Allenby finished his round in style with a birdie at the 18th but it was not enough to force his way into the play-off.
The Australian finished on eight under, alongside early tournament leader Stephen Dartnall (72) and Smail (75).
Pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy saved his best until last - a four-under 68 meaning the former US Open champion finished at seven under overall.
He shared sixth place with Chris Gaunt, who fired an even-par 72, veteran Steven Conran (70) and Andre Stolz (75).
