AP
Captain of Kingston Heath Neil Cathels outfits Tiger with the winner's gold jacket.
"I got a 'W,'" Woods said after winning for the first time in Australia, the 13th country in which he has triumphed. "That was the goal this week. I'm very, very thankful to come here and play in front of such great people and put together some good rounds. My friends and family came down, and everyone had a great time. It's a bonus that I even won the tournament."
The 33-year-old Woods, who received $270,000 and a hefty appearance fee, said the key to victory was hanging tough Saturday, when he ground out an even-par 72 to remain in contention.
"I was very thankful to still be in the tournament," he said. "It was one of those rounds that could have gotten away from me. It allowed me to go out there today and still have a chance to win."
Paired in the second-to-last twosome with Aussie Cameron Percy, Woods began the final round tied for the lead with James Nitties and Chalmers at 10-under. Another sellout crowd of more than 20,000 was on hand, with the majority following the top-ranked Woods.
Looking for a fast start, Woods two-putted the par-5 first hole for a birdie from 30 feet, then flagged approach shots at the par-4 fifth and sixth holes and sunk short birdie putts to secure a two-shot cushion. He made a nice seven-foot par save at the par-4 ninth to make the turn in 3-under 33.
"That was big to keep the momentum going that I built up on the first eight holes," said Woods.
After nearly making a birdie putt from long range at the par-4 10th, he did well to two-putt the par-3 11th from about 40 feet. Woods hit a nice drive and beautiful 3-wood to reach the par-5 12th in two and two-putted for a birdie from 20 feet.
Woods bogeyed the short par-4 13th, flinching when a camera clicked on his second shot, the ball missing the green to the right. A frustrated Woods pitched five feet past the cup and was unable to convert.
After a lengthy two-putt par at the 14th, Woods hit a towering tee shot to the par-3 15th, the ball finishing six feet behind the hole. He rolled in the slick, downhill birdie putt to increase his advantage to three strokes with three holes remaining.
Woods nearly clinched the win with a brilliant approach to the par-4 16th, the ball rimming the right side of the cup and stopping five feet behind the hole. He two-putted to retain a two-shot lead over Chalmers.
At the par-4 17th, Woods' second shot rolled just over the back of the green. He hit a nice lag putt from nearly 50 feet and escaped with a par.
Woods pounded a long drive at the par-4 18th and knocked his second shot 12 feet below the hole, easily two-putting to seal the win.
"It was one of those things where you had to make some birdies early," said Woods, who shared the low round of the day. "I was able to do that and kept it going for most of the day."
After a tough ball-striking round Saturday, Woods was much improved Sunday.
"I hit some good shots on the back nine and really felt comfortable with my swing," he said.
Woods has one more tournament on his schedule this year: the Chevron World Challenge, Dec. 3-6, at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., where he also serves as host. Proceeds benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation.