SYDNEY, Australia -- John Senden shot a closing 7-under 65 Sunday, capped by a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th, to break out of a three-way tie for the lead and a one-stroke win in the Australian Open.

Senden, who won the John Deere Classic on the PGA TOUR in July - his first win in the United States in 139 starts there - moved into contention on Saturday with a 67, the lowest score of the third round at Royal Sydney.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old Senden moved in and out of the lead with several others, including U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy and Stuart Appleby, before going to 8-under 280 with his birdie on the last.

Ogilvy missed a birdie putt on 18 that could have put him in a playoff with Senden, finishing with a 67 and at 7-under 281. Appleby, playing with Ogilvy and in the group behind Senden, bogeyed 18 to finish with a 68 and tied for third, two shots behind Senden.

The last player to win the U.S. Open and Australian Open in the same year was South Africa's Gary Player in 1965.

Gavin Coles, with a 70, was level with Appleby, while Adam Scott (70), and Nathan Green (72) were tied for fifth, three shots behind. Green led after each of the first three rounds and took a one-stroke lead into the final round.

Senden birdied the tough par-3, 202-meter 17th, hitting his approach to two feet, before stroking a 6-iron pin-high on 18.

"I was aiming for the center of the green, but the wind got up there and took it the right way," said Senden. "When I saw it coming down, I knew it was going to be a good one.

"I was shaking a little bit on that last putt, but it went in. I was really proud of the way I finished it off today."

Senden is coached by Queensland state's Ian Triggs, who also coaches Karrie Webb. Webb has had a resurgent year on the LPGA Tour, winning five times.

Before this season, Senden's only victory on a major circuit came at the Asian Tour's Indonesian Open in 1996.

"It was a dream come true, definitely. I've been working hard for it," Senden said of this season.

"It's been since I was 13 years of age. Ian and I have been working hard to get the golf swing in order and keep on building as a player and a person and a professional. It's hard to believe really."

Greg Norman, a five-time Australian Open champion, finished with a 2-over 74 Sunday and a 6-over total of 294, 14 strokes behind Senden.

©The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.