Australia's Adam Scott held on to win the Johnnie Walker Classic by three strokes despite a brief scare in Sunday's final round in Beijing [Images], on Sunday.

The Australian had led from the start of the $2.3 million tournament but he almost suffered a collapse allowing South Africa's Retief Goosen to close to within one shot.

Scott's nerve held, however, and he carved out an even-par 72 to finish on an 18-under total of 270 and claim his ninth career title.

US Open champion Goosen settled for the runner-up spot on 15-under after a finishing 70 with three men tied for third a further two strokes back.

Scott set a course record with a 63 in the first round and his halfway total of 15-under 129 matched the tournament best for the first 36 holes.

His problems began when he double-bogeyed the 18th while completing his third-round 69 on Sunday morning, reducing his advantage from seven shots to five.

The majority of players were finishing their third rounds early on Sunday after heavy winds forced the abandonment of play in Thursday's first round at Beijing's Pine Valley.

Scott showed signs of wilting under pressure from Goosen in the final round but the 24-year-old responded with birdies at the 12th and 13th holes to halt the South African's run.

World number five Goosen won the tournament in Perth two years ago but failed to make enough putts to take advantage of Scott's wobble.

Scott's victory was worth $388,000 and took his career prize money to more than $7 million.

South Africa's Richard Sterne, former champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand [Images] and Swede Henrik Stenson tied for third on 13-under 275.

World number three and twice champion Ernie Els of South Africa finished joint sixth with Britain's Colin Montgomerie and Australian Brett Rumford a further shot behind.

The event is jointly sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian tours.