Scott speeds to first US Tour win with Rose third

Adam Scott, who had consecutive birdies to open a huge lead and crucial pars that kept anyone from making a serious challenge to him, closed with a five-under-par 66 yesterday to win the Deutsche Bank Championship here.

Scott led by at least three shots throughout a rainy afternoon on the TPC of Boston, and a birdie on the final hole gave him a four-shot victory over Rocco Mediate. The 23-year-old Australian, who finished at 20-under-par 264, won for the first time on the PGA Tour and the fifth time worldwide, all of them by protecting a lead going into the final round.

Scott's record is nothing like that of Tiger Woods, who has won on 28 of the 30 occasions he has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead. The swing, however, is eerily similar, and it carried Scott to a dominant performance over the last three rounds that left everyone else playing for second.

Mediate did his best to make a charge with four birdies in five holes around the turn, and he closed with a six-under-par 65. All that got him did was win him that race for second place.

Britain's Justin Rose, Scott's best friend on the European tour, birdied the last two holes for a 67 and finished third at 269. Vijay Singh was another stroke back after a 66 that could have been much better if not for a slew of short-range birdie putts that he missed.

Apart from $900,000 (£570,000), Scott earned a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, although he is expected to continue playing a full schedule in Europe.

Woods never had a chance in the tournament that benefits his foundation. He birdied his first three holes to get within five strokes of the lead, and consecutive birdies to start the back nine moved him into a tie for third.

But a double bogey on the 12th derailed any hopes of getting closer to Scott, and Woods had to settle for two birdies at the end for a 67. He finished at 273, tied for seventh.