In his home town of Sydney Australia, Greg Chalmers fought off a late charge from Tiger Woods and 54-hole leader John Senden to win the Australian Open for the second time in his career.The 38-year old left-hander carded a final round three-under 69, as he watched a seemingly resurgent Woods' name start to creep up the leader board.
Chalmers also had to endure watching Senden missing a birdie opportunity to force a playoff on the last before he could lay claim to the victory.
"I've got my name twice on the Stonehaven Cup and that's phenomenal," said Chalmers in his post round interview.
"To win it once, I can kind of stumble into that. I can see how guys can do that, but to win it twice in this field. You can talk about Tiger, but I think it's one of the strongest fields we've had in Australian golf for a long time."
"So to go out there and get that done over the last two days, shoot eight under on the weekend, that does something for me. It really floats my boat."
Woods did close to within one shot of Chalmers on the back nine, as he eagled the par-five 14th and added a birdie on the 17th.
Ultimately, it was his third round score of 75 that would hinder him from being able to catch the would be champion.
“Two holes on the back nine today, and I putted awful yesterday, or I would have been right there,” Woods said.
It seems even by his own admition, he is still unable to put four good rounds together.
Over night leader Senden and 2006 Australian Open Champion had a brutal start to his final round, carding four bogeys on the front side, was able to collect himself and fire four birdies coming in to finish his round at even par and in solo second.
In the end it was Chalmers, who over came two bogeys of his own on the front nine to claim victory in his Country's National Championship and turn the table on Woods, who's last victory came in 2009 at the Australian Masters -- Besting him by two strokes.
This day however would belong to the Australian, Chalmers.
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