Austin overcomes Scott to take victory

Woody Austin shot a final-round eight-under-par 62 and breezed to a five-shot victory on Sunday at the St Jude Championship.

In winning for the first time since the Buick Championship on August 29, 2004, Austin used a par-birdie-eagle start to overcome third-round leader Adam Scott.

“I got off to an awesome start when I holed that wedge on Number three for the eagle and just kind of jump-started,” Austin said. “I controlled the ball so well with the irons. Every shot was solid, every shot was where I was trying to hit it.”

After starting the tournament with a two-over 72 in his opening, Austin finished at 13-under 267. It was his third career victory and marked the lowest final round by a tournament champion this year.

“I never thought I would have that (kind of lead) because my three or four wins were all playoffs, so for me to actually be able to finish a tournament off, knowing I won instead of never knowing, I didn’t know if I would ever get there,” Austin said.

“I’d have to say today’s finish was definitely the best I’ve ever had.”

Austin finished his final round with six birdies and an eagle, going the final 49 holes without making a bogey. Had he managed to birdie the 18th hole, Austin would have posted a 29 on the back nine.

“I feel like I played better once before when I shot 57 at home,” Austin said. “Shot 13-under on my home course when I was in college so ... but obviously that’s nothing to do with it under these circumstances and this position, so I’m ecstatic.”

Brian Davis shot a four-under 66 and finished alone in second place at 272. He was one shot ahead of David Toms (69) in third place and two ahead of Brian Gay (70), who ended up in sole possession of fourth.

“Woody was playing behind me. I kept hearing cheers so I knew somebody was doing so good,” Davis said. “He birdied the second and pitched in for eagle on the third behind us. I knew someone was going to make a charge, I just didn’t expect it was to be that much.”

Scott carried a three-shot lead into the final round and was tied with Austin at 10-under after making consecutive birdies at the 11th and 12th hole.

But the Australian, who is ranked fourth in the world, bogeyed the 13th hole and suffered a devastating triple-bogey at the par-three 14th hole when he hit his tee shot into the water to fall four shots behind Austin.

“That was the end of my week. I’m not going to be hard on myself,” Scott said. “I should think about next week and know that I’m playing good.”

Scott was six-over for the last six holes en route to a closing 75 that dropped him nine shots behind Austin at 4-under 276.

“I played a lot of good holes this week, 70 good holes and a couple bad ones,” Scott said. “You know, at least I can learn, you know, got to keep focused on every single shot.”