Great Scott Claims Three-Stroke Win at Johnnie Walker Classic

    BEIJING, April 24 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Australian Adam Scott claimed his
 ninth title in his meteoric career when he completed his start-to-finish
 victory at the US$2.35 million Johnnie Walker Classic on Sunday.
 
     ( Photos:  http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture1.htm
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                http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture4.htm )
 
     Scott, ranked 10th in the world, fired an even par 72 in the final round
 at Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club to triumph by three strokes over
 South Africa's Retief Gooosen, who signed off with a 70.
     New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Richard Sterne of South Africa and
 Sweden's Henrik Stenson shared third place on 275 while Asia's best performer
 was Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who finished in joint 16th place following a
 disappointing 74.
     After carding a course record opening 63 which took two days to complete
 due to weather disruptions, Scott tightened his grip on the event sanctioned
 by the Asian, European and Australasian Tours with some dazzling displays. He
 completed his third round with a 69 despite a double bogey on his last hole
 earlier this morning for a five shot lead.
     World number five Goosen fought hard on a breezy Sunday afternoon with
 three birdies and a bogey on his outward nine as Scott left the door slightly
 ajar by going to two over for his final round through 10 holes, dropping four
 bogeys against two birdies.
     With the lead down to one stroke, Goosen threatened to draw level before
 Scott regained control with brilliant back-to-back birdies on the 12th and
 13th holes to regain a three-shot lead which he kept till his final putt which
 came with a winner's cheque of US$398,785. The Aussie said a superbly-struck
 two iron at the par three 12th hole to three feet for birdie drove him to
 victory.
     Goosen, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2002, said his putting
 deserted him. "I supposed I have to be happy. It's better than third but I
 would have liked to have putted better this week, especially today. The
 chances were there to catch him but I didn't take it. Just nine pars on the
 back nine, missed a lot of putts. Good for him, well played."
     The South African star, the reigning US Open champion said he should have
 taken advantage of Scott's mid-round wobble. "He bogeyed nine and 10 and 11
 was probably an important hole for me to make a birdie there and I didn't. And
 then I made a bad club selection on the par five on 13 and then missed a short
 one on 15 to get a bit closer but didn't do it," said Goosen.
     Thongchai was Asia's top performer at tied 16th place after closing with a
 disappointing 74, 10 shots more than his brilliant third round effort which he
 completed this morning.
     World number three Ernie Els of South Africa finished shared sixth place
 on 276, six shots behind the winner, with Scotsman Colin Montgomerie and
 Australian Brett Rumford while Luke Donald of England was a further stroke
 back.
 
     About The Johnnie Walker Classic
     The Johnnie Walker Classic is more than just a golf tournament. Along with
 a week of official parties, Johnnie Walker will be raising money for the "Keep
 Walking" Thailand Tsunami fund and will be promoting messages encouraging
 people to drink in moderation. This includes the 15th hole, on which the
 signage carries messages about responsible drinking.
 
     For further information, please contact Holly Hu at Burson-Marsteller or
 visit http://www.asiantour.com for live scoring and
 http://www.johnniewalkerclassic.com .
 
     For interview transcripts, go to http://www.asapsports.com .
 
     Contact:
 
      Holly Hu
      Tel:     +86-21-5403-2121 ext. 171
      Fax:     +86-21-5403-8589
      Mobile:  +86-13761683747
      Email:   holly_hu@sh.bm.com
 
 

SOURCE  JOHNNIE WALKER