Stuart Appleby equalled the course record to win the Australian Open golf championship by three shots today.
Appleby shot a final round 65 to finish with a total of 13-under-par 271, three shots clear of joint overnight leader Scott Laycock.
South Africa's Ernie Els closed with a 67 to finish third, a further two strokes behind.
Appleby, who had won three times on the U.S. PGA Tour but only once on his home circuit, started the day level with Laycock but led by a shot when they turned for home.
Laycock drew level at the 12th and they were still all square with four holes to play when Appleby made his move.
He went one in front when Laycock bogeyed the 15th then stretched his lead to three shots when he birdied the par three 16th and Laycock made another bogey.
Appleby moved four clear with a birdie at the 17th and sealed his victory despite missing an eight-metre putt for par on the last that would have given him a new course record.
Els started the day three shots off the pace but quickly bowed out of contention with a poor start before a late flurry enable him to climb back to third.
The South African made scores of three on five straight holes from the 9th to the 14th, including an eagle, to finish two shots clear of Rod Pampling and four ahead of Peter Lonard.