BEIJING, April 24, -- Xinhua/PRNewswire Australian Adam Scott claimed his ninth title in his meteoric career when he completed his start-to-finish victory at the US$2.35 million Johnnie Walker Classic on Sunday. (Photos: http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture1.htm http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture2.htm http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture3.htm http://xprnnews.xfn.info/JWGC/Day4/picture4.htm ) Scott, ranked 10th in the world, fired an even par 72 in the final round at Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club to triumph by three strokes over South Africa's Retief Gooosen, who signed off with a 70. New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Richard Sterne of South Africa and Sweden's Henrik Stenson shared third place on 275 while Asia's best performer was Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who finished in joint 16th place following a disappointing 74. After carding a course record opening 63 which took two days to complete due to weather disruptions, Scott tightened his grip on the event sanctioned by the Asian, European and Australasian Tours with some dazzling displays. He completed his third round with a 69 despite a double bogey on his last hole earlier this morning for a five shot lead. World number five Goosen fought hard on a breezy Sunday afternoon with three birdies and a bogey on his outward nine as Scott left the door slightly ajar by going to two over for his final round through 10 holes, dropping four bogeys against two birdies. With the lead down to one stroke, Goosen threatened to draw level before Scott regained control with brilliant back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th holes to regain a three-shot lead which he kept till his final putt which came with a winner's cheque of US$398,785. The Aussie said a superbly-struck two iron at the par three 12th hole to three feet for birdie drove him to victory. Goosen, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2002, said his putting deserted him. "I supposed I have to be happy. It's better than third but I would have liked to have putted better this week, especially today. The chances were there to catch him but I didn't take it. Just nine pars on the back nine, missed a lot of putts. Good for him, well played." The South African star, the reigning US Open champion said he should have taken advantage of Scott's mid-round wobble. "He bogeyed nine and 10 and 11 was probably an important hole for me to make a birdie there and I didn't. And then I made a bad club selection on the par five on 13 and then missed a short one on 15 to get a bit closer but didn't do it," said Goosen. Thongchai was Asia's top performer at tied 16th place after closing with a disappointing 74, 10 shots more than his brilliant third round effort which he completed this morning. World number three Ernie Els of South Africa finished shared sixth place on 276, six shots behind the winner, with Scotsman Colin Montgomerie and Australian Brett Rumford while Luke Donald of England was a further stroke back. About The Johnnie Walker Classic The Johnnie Walker Classic is more than just a golf tournament. Along with a week of official parties, Johnnie Walker will be raising money for the "Keep Walking" Thailand Tsunami fund and will be promoting messages encouraging people to drink in moderation. This includes the 15th hole, on which the signage carries messages about responsible drinking. For further information, please contact Holly Hu at Burson-Marsteller or visit http://www.asiantour.com for live scoring and http://www.johnniewalkerclassic.com . For interview transcripts, go to http://www.asapsports.com . Contact: Holly Hu Tel: +86-21-5403-2121 ext. 171 Fax: +86-21-5403-8589 Mobile: +86-13761683747 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: JOHNNIE WALKER --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--