Angus Morgan at Kingston Heath, Sportal

Tiger Woods on Sunday

Victoria’s hefty investment in Tiger Woods has returned a healthy dividend in the form of the 2009 JBWere Australian Masters title, the $270,000 first prize and the champion’s yellow jacket, all safely secured by the world No.1 at Kingston Heath on Sunday.

Woods, the joint leader after 54 holes with Australians Greg Chalmers and James Nitties, fired a final-round 68 at the historic 6455-metre, par-72 layout in Melbourne’s renowned sandbelt to prevail at 14-under by two shots from Chalmers (70) in outright second.

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

“It was a great day today,” a satisfied Woods told his media conference.

“All the guys have raved about this golf course and I understand why.”

“I enjoy all the sandbelt courses, really, because it brings back shot-making, something that we don’t see enough of in the States.”

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 seven-iron to the pin for a gimme at the 351-metre par-four fifth for the outright lead, followed by a sand 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, though he later credited a clutch putt for par at nine for helping to maintain his momentum.

But it didn’t all go the champion’s way.

A furious Woods blamed an overenthusiastic 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.

“I felt I was in control of the tournament after I made that birdie on 12 and a photographer took the control right away from me,” Woods told his media conference.

“He took a few shots on my downswing, I flinched and made bogey.”

“I don’t mind players taking away the control, but not when something happens from outside.”

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

Critical of the softness of the Kingston Heath greens on Saturday, Woods said they were only marginally better for the final round.

“They were faster today but they still were holding and you could be quite aggressive going to some of these flags,” he said.

“Even downwind the ball wasn’t going to get away from you – you still had a chance to spin the ball which is normally not the case.”

The champion 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 to on the back nine at 14 and 16.

“Even though I finished second, I’m thrilled he (Woods) was here, I wish he would come every couple of years,” said a gracious Chalmers.

“It’s been a pretty fantastic week with the crowd and the atmosphere we had as golfers, it was like a football crowd brought to the golf.”

“That was special, very exciting and it made you play better – it certainly did for me, anyway.”

Woods’ victory was warmly welcomed by Victorian premier John Brumby whose state government attracted criticism in some quarters for agreeing to underwrite Woods’ $3 million appearance fee which was double the total prize money for the tournament.

The size of the final day crowd – 25,132 – was a useful barometer of the tournament’s outstanding success on almost every level.

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

igolf’s Tour Professionals Brad Shilton, Hamish Robertson and Mike Hendry all just slipped out of the event narrowly missing the cut and missing the weekend. The boys are in Sydeny at present gearing up for the next Australisaian Tour event.

For photos of our players and photos of other players go to the photo page or click here.