Australian Open: Chalmers Survives Woods Fightback

Local boy Greg Chalmers survived a fine late run by Tiger Woods to win his second Australian Open.
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The 38-year-old, who first won the title in 1998, carded a three-under final round of 69 to finish 13 under, one and two shots clear of compatriot John Senden and Woods respectively.
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Woods recorded an eagle and five birdies in a fine 67 as he battled back from a third-round 75.
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Victory at The Lakes would have been a first for Woods in nearly two years.
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The tournament ended in thrilling style, with Chalmers forced to watch nervously from the clubhouse as overnight leader Senden went close with a 35-foot birdie putt at the 18th that would have forced a play-off.
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An emotional Chalmers, who fought back tears after beating a field including eight of the world’s top 20, said: “I’m just extremely excited and extremely pleased to win this tournament twice.
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“You can stumble into it once but to win it again, in this field, one of the strongest fields we’ve had in Australian golf for a long time, that does something for me, that really floats my boat.
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“I think I stumbled into it when I was 26 … I know what it takes now, it’s hard to win.”
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A day shy of the second anniversary of his 95th and last title win at the 2009 Australian Masters, the crowd was thrilled as 14-time major winner Woods surged back from six shots behind.
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Woods, 35, said: “A couple of drives on the back nine cost me. I fought real hard all day but I’ve come up just short.
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“I’m just going to keep plugging along. It’s just nice to be playing and not on the sidelines.”