Australia’s Adam Scott played the round of his life to win his second title at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, after ripping up the course record with a sensational final round 61 at Doha Golf Club.

Making his first appearance in Doha since lifting this title back in 2002, Scott romped to a three-shot win over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson despite starting the day some three shots off the pace.

A five-in-a-row birdie blitz was followed by one more on the front nine, while five more on the run home took the 27 year-old to twenty under par, bettering the previous course record of 63 by two shots.

“I think I have to say that is the best round of my life,” smiled Scott, who moves up to fifth in the world rankings and received a cheque for $416,660, the famous Mother of Pearl trophy as well as a new BMW650i for breaking the course record.

“I’ve shot 62 before but this is my first 61 and to do it under the pressure of a final round makes it my best ever. I played pretty awesome from the start. The five birdies from the first hole got me right back in the tournament and after that I just kept going.”

Scott’s win means he has yet to lose over the 7,388-yard Doha Golf Club, winning on his first appearance in 2002 and returning for the first time this week to clinch a second title in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy and become the first man in the tournament’s history to win twice.

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“I suppose the thought was in my head that I might shoot 59 but the main aim was to win the tournament. That’s twice I’ve been here and twice I’ve won but I’m not going to quite while I’m ahead – I’ll be back.”

For Stenson, who also had claims on a second Qatar crown, a brilliant closing 65 was still not enough to catch the on-fire Scott and the Swede was quick to praise the new champion.

“It’s not often you shoot 65 and lose by three to a guy playing in front of you but when a guy’s in the zone like that you can’t do anything about it,” said Stenson, whose final total of -17 was enough to take second place by two shots from South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel who carded a final round 67 to finish on -15. Overnight leader Johan Edfors slumped to fourth on -14 after shooting a two-under 70.

“I’m delighted with the way I’m playing and these are good Ryder Cup points to get in the bag,” added Stenson. “It sets me up nicely for the defence of my title in Dubai next week – I just hope I don’t have to shoot a 61 to win in the final round!”

For Edfors, it was a disappointing end to a week that offered so much. Going into the final round one shot ahead, his chances were blown away by a combination of Scott’s outstanding round and a couple of early bogeys the Dubai-based Swede described as “some of the worst of my career.”

Scott’s thrilling course record and crowning as the new champion was the fitting end to a tournament that was attended by HH The Emir of the state of Qatar, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Australian heads to LA full of confidence as he targets the Masters at Augusta in April.
 
Final Scores: Scott (AUS) -20; Stenson (SWE) -17: Schwartzel (RSA) -15; Edfors (SWE) -14; Westwood (ENG) -13: Montgomerie (SCO) -11.