Robert Allenby became the first golfer to win the Australian Open, PGA and Masters in the same season, beating American Bubba Watson on the first playoff hole Sunday at the Australian Masters in Melbourne.
Allenby, 10-0 in playoffs in his pro career, closed with a 4- under-par 68 to match Watson (67) at 17-under 271.
Australian Nick O’Hern, who entered the round three strokes ahead of Allenby and four in front of Watson, shot a 73 to finish two strokes back.
“I hung in there all day,” said Allenby, also the 2004 winner. “I just tried to keep my focus. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.”
The Australian star, a four- time winner on the PGA Tour, began the historic run two weeks ago in the Australian Open, overcoming a finger injury for a one-stroke victory. He added the PGA title last week, also winning by a stroke.
Watson had five birdies in six holes in the middle of his round and took the lead on the 16th hole with a 4-foot birdie putt, but bogeyed the 17th to allow Allenby to pull back into a tie.
Allenby, who eagled the 14th, had a chance to win on the 18th with Watson in the clubhouse. But Allenby’s approach left him with an unlikely 45-foot birdie putt, which resulted in a two- putt and the playoff.
Watson’s 3-foot par putt lipped out on the first playoff hole, giving Allenby the title.
“It was great, but at the same time it’s sad,” Watson said. “After stopping and waiting for them to finish, you kind of relax, but at the same time you’re in a playoff for the biggest tournament of your life.
“It was kind of hard to get back in there and play golf again. I’m not saying he wouldn’t have beaten me on the next hole, but I gave it to him.”
Dunhill Championship: Ernie Els won the Dunhill Championship by three strokes in Nelspruit, South Africa, his second tournament since returning from a 4 1/2-month injury layoff after surgery.
The two-time U.S. Open champion shot 68 in the final round for a 274 total and finished ahead of defending champion Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, who each shot 70.
Els had five birdies and a bogey to erase third-round leader Ulrich van den Berg’s two-shot advantage.
