Niemann, Buhai upstage locals to win Australian Open titles

SYDNEY :Joaquin Niemann mastered the Sydney winds to become the first Chilean winner in 119 years of Australian Open when he beat Japan's Rikuya Hoshino in a playoff to lift the Stonehaven Cup on Sunday.

Niemann lipped out with a four-foot eagle putt on the first re-run of the 18th but made no mistake on the second playoff hole, draining a slightly longer eagle attempt to add a first DP World Tour title to the two he has won on the PGA circuit.

South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai retained the title in the women's Australian Open, being played in parallel on the same course, by holding off Australia's Minjee Lee to win by a single stroke on nine-under despite shooting a three-over-par 75.

Earlier in a wild final round, Niemann had shot a five-under-par 66 to take the clubhouse lead with Hoshino joining him on 14-under when he completed a round of 70 some 90 minutes later.

Min Woo Lee, who beat Hoshino in a Sunday duel to win the Australian PGA Championship last week, came up short in his bid to go back-to-back after a 71 and had to settle for third place on 12-under.

Spectacular overnight storms cleared to make way for a bright, sunny morning at The Australian Golf Club but the wind had already started building and it increased in speed until it wreaked havoc with the local contenders.

Min Woo Lee, younger brother of Minjee, and Hoshino shared the overnight lead and were expected to reprise their duel but Adam Scott and Lucas Herbert made early charges to share the lead.

Former Masters champion Scott edged ahead of the leading pack with his eighth birdie at his 15th hole but calamity struck at the next when his tee shot landed in an unplayable lie hard up against a fence and he took a triple bogey.

Herbert also had a triple bogey