Rory McIlroy has denied Adam Scott Australian golf’s Triple Crown with a tense and dramatic one-stroke Australian Open victory at Royal Sydney.

McIlroy birdied the 18th hole to close with a final-round six-under-par 66 to steal the Stonehaven Cup from Scott, who bogeyed the last after leading the tournament from the first morning on Thursday.

Scott had started the day with a four-stroke buffer and never trailed until making a meal of the 72nd hole of the championship.

After driving into the middle of the fairway, he overcooked his approach then blasted his recovery shot long and was unable to save par.

McIlroy, meanwhile, drained his 15-foot birdie attempt to end a 12-month winless streak for the one-time world No.1.

McIlroy finished at 18-under-par, one ahead of Scott, who closed with a one-under-71.

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