Overnight leader Bjorn, who won his first tournament since the Estoril Open in Portugal last year, shot a bogey-free, 3-under 69 for a tournament total of 14-under 274. The 39-year-old Dane had three birdies in the final round, including one on the 18th.
Quiros, who closed within two shots of the lead with a birdie on the 14th, faltered at the end. He bogeyed two of the final four holes, including a three-putt on 15. Quiros’ compatriot Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Markus Brier of Austria, who held the lead after the second round, finished another shot back.
Second-ranked Martin Kaymer, who needed to finish at least second to overtake Lee Westwood as top-ranked player, shot a 1-under 71 to finish 2 under for the tournament in a tie for 28th.
Holding a one-shot lead over Brier coming into the final round, 134th-ranked Bjorn said it was a question of “hanging in there” on the final day. He admitted he didn’t play inspiring golf early on but made up for it with all his birdies coming on the back nine.
“I played solid golf. I think I made one bogey in the last 54 holes. On this golf course and in these conditions, that’s good going,” Bjorn said, referring to the high winds on Thursday that made the course almost unplayable.
Bjorn added that the win was made all the more special because the field included the likes of the top-ranked Westwood, who didn’t make the cut and 7th-ranked Steve Stricker, who finished 1 over in a tie for 45th.
“Well, the field this week was unbelievably strong, and you know, that shows where European Tour golf is at the moment,” Bjorn said. “We have got a lot of players up there in the top 10 and a lot of them played this week. You know, that gives you a few extra points.” Quiros, who also finished second last year, was left to ponder a poor finish that took the pressure off Bjorn coming into the final holes.
“I was thinking I was going to finish in the top five and if I’m going to finish second I’m lucky by myself.
Unfortunately I made three putts on 15, and I made a stupid bogey on 17,” Quiros said. “After that, it’s going to be tough to reach him. But anyway, I’m very pleased to be where I am.” Kaymer never recovered from an opening round 77 that knocked him off the leaderboard and came into the final round 10 shots off the lead.
“I knew after the first day that I’ll struggle,” he said. “So I concentrated hard and my aim was to finish in the top-10. Happy to finish off the way it is.”
Tseng wins Women’s Australian Open
In Melbourne, Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, bogeying only two of 72 holes, successfully defended her Women’s Australian Open title, shooting a final-round 2-under 71 Sunday to win by seven strokes.
Tseng finished with a four-round total of 16-under-par 276 on the par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club course.
No. 1-ranked Jiyai Shin was tied for second with two others. Shin shot a final-round 75, level with South Korean Ji Eun-hee (74), and England’s Melissa Reid, who shot 68.
Jennifer Song of the United States finished fifth after a 71, nine strokes behind Tseng.
Four-time champion Karrie Webb shot 70 Sunday, 11 behind Tseng. Laura Davies of England shot 74 and finished at 290, 14 strokes behind the winner.
The 22-year-old Tseng, a three-time major winner and voted the 2010 LPGA player of the year, ran away from the field in the final round.
“It’s always been my goal to be No.1 and I think I’m getting a little closer,” said Tseng.
“I hit the ball very solid this week every day. I felt really good with my swing and feel very confident. Just need to bring that confidence to my whole year.”
