Scott holds off Rose for first win

Australian Adam Scott won the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday, his first as a professional, with a 21 under par 267 at the par-72 Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg.

England's Justin Rose came so close to his first European Tour victory after an exciting battle with fellow rising star Scott in the final stages.

Rose finish 20-under-par for a final-round 69. Scott, who led by one overnight, also closed on 69 for a 21-under total of 267, picking up birdies at the 14th, 16th and 18th to hold off a brave challenge from Rose.

Scotland's Dean Robertson and six-times major winner Nick Faldo finished in a tie for third a shot behind Rose with defending champion Anthony Wall another shot back in fifth.

Sheffield's Malcolm Mackenzie claimed sixth place on 17 under with Spanish Open champion Brian Davis tied seventh with local favourite Retief Goosen.

Adam Scott shows off his first professional trophy. Allsport.

Scott's victory was his first as a professional in just his ninth event on the European Tour since joining the paid ranks in June last season.

Scott said: "I've led a few tournaments and haven't sealed it, so it was nice to do that this time.

"Butch (Harmon) told me before the round not to go out there and try and win the tournament, but just to play a round of golf. That helped me to focus on what I had to do," Scott said.

Rose was pleased to put behind him two dismal years during which he has missed a string of cuts after turning professional following his dramatic fourth-place finish as an amateur in the 1998 British Open.

"I'm proud of the way I performed," Rose said. "I hung in there and felt comfortable coming down the stretch. I feel more confident now."

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