World number two Adam Scott survived a late wobble and a charge from American Matt Kuchar to successfully defend his home Australian Masters title by two strokes on Sunday.
Having taken a four-stroke lead into the final round, U.S. Masters champion Scott stumbled with a double-bogey on the par-three 14th hole to concede a two-stroke lead to world number eight Kuchar on a gusty day at Royal Melbourne.
But the 35-year-old American's challenge crumbled on his final few holes with a bogey on the par-four 16th and a double-bogey on the par-four 18th to gift Scott a two-stroke lead heading to the last hole.
Roared on by a huge gallery, the home hero Scott tapped in a three-foot par putt to complete an even-par round of 71 for a 14-under total of 270.
Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar finished a highly creditable tied 13th after carding a one-under 70 in the final round.
The Indian star, who will play at the coming week's World Cup of golf at the same venue, was on way to a superb top-10 finish at five-under but he dropped a late bogey on par-4 17th hole to sign off with a total of four-under 280.
He began with birdies on second and third and later added three more on eighth, 11th and 15th holes. But he also dropped shots on sixth, ninth, 13th and 17th.
Earlier in the week, Anirban Lahiri, who will partner Bhullar at the World Cup, had missed the halfway cut.
At the top, Masters champion, Adam Scott successfully defended his Talisker Masters title, winning by two shots.
Starting the day four shots clear off the field, Scott saw his lead dwindle as American Matt Kuchar fired around the composite layout. A playoff loomed as the pair were tied on 14-under before a double bogey on the 18th for Kuchar handed Scott the title.
"You can't think about the result until you're walking up the last and you know where things stand," said Scott, who finished with a tournament total of 14-under 270.
The Talisker Masters is Adam Scott's second PGA Tour of Australasia title in as many weeks meaning the Queenslander has only the Emirates Australian Open standing in the way of his Aussie golf Triple Crown.
"I've never won back to back weeks so this is a first and something that I like," added Scott. "I think it's very hard to win two tournaments full stop, let alone back to back, so I'm quite pleased with myself this week."
Scott now looks forward to teaming up with Jason Day to represent Australia in the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf next week here. If Scott goes on to win the next two weeks he will achieve an extraordinary feat affectionately being named the 'Scotty Slam.'
Finishing outright third on 10-under was Fiji's Vijay Singh with South Australian Nick Cullen a further shot back in outright fourth. Victorian Matthew Griffin and New Zealand's Ryan Fox rounded out the top-5 on six-under.
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