JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia won the Barclays after a nail-biting finish, claiming the title Sunday by one stroke over four rivals in the opening event of the FedExCup playoffs. Early finisher Scott posted a five-under-par 66 at Liberty National for an 11-under-par total of 273 that stood up as Tiger Woods (69), US Open champion Justin Rose (68), Canadian Graham DeLaet (65) and Gary Woodland (73) all finished one stroke back. Scott began the day six strokes behind overnight co-leader Woodland and played eight groups behind the final pair. He finished his round about 90 minutes before the last putt was sunk. He watched challenger after challenger come up short and at the end he was glancing up at a large screen TV near the practice range as he stayed loose in case of a playoff. “I was thinking, I'm lucky to even have a chance, I started today on a wing and a prayer I thought,” said Scott. “I played a good round of golf but I didn't think it was good enough. But the closing holes threw up a challenge on these guys and luck was definitely on my side today.” It was Scott's first victory since his rousing playoff win over Argentina's Angel Cabrera at Augusta, and a frustrating loss for his pursuers, particularly Woods. Woods, who complained of a sore back this week after sleeping on a soft hotel bed, collapsed to his knees after striking his second shot on the par-five 13th hole and grabbed at his back. The shot sailed left and into the water beyond the tee box at an adjacent hole. Woods went on to bogey the hole and the 15th as well before bouncing back with birdies at 16 and 17. He left his last birdie try two revolutions short of the cup. Rose needed two putts from 30 feet at the last to tie Scott, but sent his 30-foot birdie try five feet past and missed the par putt. Woodland had 10-foot birdie attempts at both 17 and 18 to join Scott on 11-under but missed both. Tied for sixth place at nine under par were British Open champion Phil Mickelson, who fired a final-round 65, and fellow-Americans Jim Furyk (69) and DA Points (67). The top 100 on the FedExCup points list advanced to next week's playoffs event, the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. Ko wins again In Alberta, New Zealand amateur sensation Lydia Ko won the LPGA Canadian Women's Open for the second straight year Sunday, leaving an elite pro field in her wake. Ko, whose triumph in Vancouver last year at the age of 15 years and four months made her the youngest LPGA title winner in history, backed up that milestone victory with a five-stroke victory over France's Karine Icher. Ko, of Auckland, carded a final-round six-under 64 at Royal Mayfair Golf Club for a 15-under total of 265. Icher carded a 67 for 270. Sweden's Caroline Hedwall carded a 71 to share third on 271 alongside American Brittany Lincicome, who shot 69. Malaysia to host Asia vs Europe event Top players from Europe and Asia will face off every two years in a new team golf event in Malaysia styled after the Ryder Cup, officials said Monday. The $4 million EurAsia Cup, to be administered by the Asian Tour and European Tour, will pit 10 golfers from each region against each other in a three-day matchplay format that tees off next March 28. It will be held at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club near Kuala Lumpur. Officials said it was hoped the event could spark a new and exciting intercontinental rivalry of the sort that has made the Ryder Cup such a popular and passionate competition and, to a less extent, the Presidents Cup. The EurAsia Cup will be telecast live to more than 45 countries and 670 million homes, they said. Players on the winning team will pocket $300,000 each, while the runners-up will take home $100,000 each. — Agencies
