Monday, November 15, 2010

Scott Claims Hat-trick



Adam Scott claimed his third Barclays Singapore Open title with a composed performance at Sentosa Golf Club. 


The Australian landed his seventh European Tour title over the Serapong Course where he won in 2005 and 2006 with a closing round of 68 to finish 17 under par, three ahead of Anders Hansen. 

The leaders had returned on Monday with ten holes of the final round remaining after a five and half hour delay for thunderstorms on Sunday, and Scott never really looked like throwing away his three shot lead on the extra day. 

Starting the morning on 17 under par, his nearest challenger appeared to be defending champion Ian Poulter. But the Ryder Cup star missed good birdie chances at the ninth and tenth, although he still reduced the gap to two as Scott three-putted the latter. 

Both players squandered birdie chances at the 11th, before 30 year old Scott went three clear again when Poulter drove into a bunker at the 12th, took three to reach the green, and missed a 20 foot par putt. 

Poulter again missed the green at the 13th, but his chip hit the pin as he rescued par. 

Scott’s play from tee to green was superb as usual, but his putting issues continued at the 14th as he took three shots on the green again for another bogey. 

Poulter’s title defence effectively came to an end at the 15th when he pushed his drive right behind the trees. He had to chip out on to the fairway and eventually double bogeyed, while Scott birdied. 

The former World Number Three then parred the 16th and 17th before finishing with a flourish when he birdied from 12 feet at the last. 

“It feels great,” said Scott, who last won on The European Tour two and a half years ago. “Relief to finally get finished, it’s been a bit of a long week. I’m very happy to be winning here again. 

“I haven’t been putting my best lately and the demons started creeping in on the back nine, but it’s a course I absolutely love and I’ve played so many great shots here.” 

Denmark’s Hansen progressed through the field with a closing 68 of his own to finish 14 under. 

Graeme McDowell made inroads into Martin Kaymer’s lead in The Race to Dubai – despite a foray into the trees on the 11th leading to an early bogey. 

The Portrush man recovered with birdies at the 13th and 14th before making a courageous par at the 15th after hitting his tee shot so close to the water he was standing on rocks for his second, which he proceeded to shank into the rough. 

A round of 70 gave him a 13 under total and a share of third place alongside Swede Rikard Karlberg. 

Martin Kaymer was tied for tenth. 

Peter Lawrie finished in a share of 35th place - on five under par - after a final round of 73. 

Michael Hoey ended the tournament on one over par after carding a 73. 

Shane Lowry signed for a round 73 on Monday to finish 3 over par along with Gareth Maybin who carded a 71 – both sharing 64th place.

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