Golf: Appleby wins Australian Masters

Stuart Appleby of Australia hits a shot during round four of the Australian Masters. Photo / Getty Images

Victorian Stuart Appleby fired a six-under-par final round of 65 to win the A$1.5 million ($1.9 million) Australian Masters by one shot at Melbourne's Victoria Golf Club on Sunday.

Appleby started the day seven shots from the lead, but came from the clouds to finish on 10 under par, a shot clear of South Australia's Adam Bland.

Bland, who started the day in the lead, faltered with a final round 73, although he had a chance to force a play-off, but narrowly missed an eagle putt on the final hole.

American 14-time major winner Tiger Woods made a late charge, matching Appleby's 65 to finish seven under par, in fourth place, behind third-placed Victorian Daniel Gaunt, on eight under.

Appleby claimed A$270,000 for the victory, his first on home soil since the 2001 Australian Open, although he posted his ninth US PGA Tour victory just three months ago, when he carded a final-round 59 to win the Greenbrier Classic.

- AAP