
Poland’s Adrian Meronk fired a final 66 to beat local favorite Adam Scott to the men’s Australian Open title by five shots while South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai won the women’s event.
Englishman Kipp Popert won the All Abilities title for para golfers.
Meronk became the first Pole to win on the European Tour at July’s Irish Open and added a second title in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old left former Masters champion Scott behind in Victoria with his stunning four-under final round.
South Korea’s Jiyai Shin missed a five-foot birdie putt that would have forced a shoot-off in the women’s event, which was played alongside the men for the first time at the Australian Open.
Meronk, a contender for next year’s European Ryder Cup team, picked up a much more commanding victory and sealed his triumph with a 40-foot eagle putt on the 18th.
He said: “Finishing like this on the 18th hole is unreal.
“Adam was always my role model growing up. Beating him in the final group in front of big crowds in Australia is just an incredible experience.”
Former world number one Scott had a one-shot lead overnight but collapsed late in the final round to shoot a 72 and miss reclaiming a trophy he had won for the first time in 2009.
Grace Kim gave home fans hope as she fought her way into a header share with British Open women’s champion Buhai, but a double bogey on the 18th left the 21-year-old fourth while her compatriot Hannah Green took third place.
The Australian Open men’s and women’s events were priced equally at £940,000.