After his stellar opening round, it was easy to assume Australia’s
Adam Scott would be the likely victor of the Australian Open. But a slip in performance during his final hole left the door open for
Rory McIlroy to cut in, earning the Nike player his first win of 2013.
“I didn't think it was going to unfold the way it did,” said McIlroy. “It's hard not to feel some guilt in the way I won it. Having a one-shot lead going into the last having it taken away from you right at the very end, it's tough.”
Scott had been on a quest to become only the second player to win all three Australian majors in a single season. Setting a course record during his opening round last week, it looked as though the 33-year-old was well on his way to claiming his rightful place in history. But a succession of missed birdies during Sunday’s round left him open to the competition. An opportunity McIlroy was more than capable of exploiting.
“It's just the way golf is,” Scott stated afterwards. “I'm gutted. I felt like I never had a better chance to win the Aussie Open but it was tight the whole back nine. Rory played so good.”
