SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda — Masters champion Adam Scott broke the course record Wednesday at Port Royal with a 7-under 64 to win the PGA Grand Slam of Golf by two shots over U.S. Open champion Justin Rose.
Trailing by four shots with 10 holes to play, Scott pulled ahead of his good friend for the first time with a 6-iron that settled inches from the cup on the par-5 17th for a tap-in eagle. Rose pulled his approach and had to settle for par.
“Obviously, I’m thrilled to come out on top,” Scott said. “Fun — but a trying couple of days here, really, especially today. Standing on the 11th tee, didn’t look like a score like that was going to be possible. But I played very well and managed to slowly claw away at Justin.”
Rose, who opened with a 67, had a 69 in the 36-hole exhibition for the four major champions of the year.
Scott finished at 8-under 134 in his first trip to Bermuda. He won a pink jacket to go along with the green jacket he won at Augusta.
A 6-iron was also the club Scott used on the second playoff hole at Augusta National when he defeated Angel Cabrera — but this one came from a new set. Scott replaced his irons for the Presidents Cup two weeks ago.
“So this one’s got some good stuff in it, too,” he said.
PGA champion Jason Dufner, who started two shots behind, fell off the pace quickly and was never a serious threat. He closed with a 70 to finish alone in third, five shots behind. Padraig Harrington, a three-time major winner, shot 71 to finish eight behind. As the defending champion, Harrington was first alternate to replace British Open champion Phil Mickelson, who chose not to play.
Rose had a two-shot lead going into the final day and ran off four birdies to double the lead. Scott stayed in range with three birdies, and then the Australian played mistake-free in tough conditions on the back nine to rally for the win.
Scott made birdie on No. 13, and then holed a 20-foot birdie on the 15th after Rose’s attempt from 30 feet narrowly missed.
“I started with a two-shot lead and somebody had to shoot well to beat me,” Rose said. “When you’re in that position you want to close it out. But when somebody finishes it out like that, you have to tip your hat and say you were beaten rather than losing. He was 4-under the last six, so that’s a strong finish.”
For setting the course record at Port Royal — Lucas Glover had a 65 in 2009 — the premier of Bermuda offered Scott an honorary membership at the course.
“Do I get to keep it if someone beats it next year?” Scott replied.
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