Miami, February 29

Adam Scott maintained ice-cool composure over the tough closing stretch at the Honda Classic to end a title drought of nearly two years on Sunday, clinching his 12th PGA Tour victory by one shot at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.

The Australian world No 13 outduelled his Spanish playing competitor Sergio Garcia as he carded a level-par 70 in the final round in blustery conditions on the challenging PGA National layout.

Tied for the lead with Garcia with eight holes to play, Scott played steadier golf down the stretch to post a nine-under total of 271 as the Spaniard’s game unravelled. “I got off to a good start, made one (for birdie) on the first and that definitely relaxed me,” Scott, 35, told NBC Sports after winning his first tournament since the PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in May of 2014.

“I hit a lot of good putts. Some didn’t go in, fortunately it was enough in the end. Things got tough out there at times but that’s expected too. It’s such a tough track and the wind was slightly different,” he said. “It’s hard to get it close all the time,” added the Australian.

Scott’s 12th PGA Tour victory put him one ahead of Rory McIlroy at the top of the list of most wins recorded by current tour players aged under 40. Garcia, 36, who had been bidding for a ninth PGA Tour title, had to settle for second place after bogeying the 16th and 17th holes, before rebounding with a birdie at the last for a 71. Blayne Barber, a rookie on the PGA Tour last season, closed with a 70 to tie for third at five under with fellow American Justin Thomas (69).