Rory McIlroy snatched a dramatic Australian Open victory over hometown hero Adam Scott with an 18th hole birdie.

Scott had dominated the tournament throughout but faltered on the closing holes. McIlroy drained a ten foot birdie for the unexpected victory,

"I think I'm more experienced, more patient," McIlroy said when asked about ending the drought with his first victory of 2013.

"Not getting as down on myself or not being as hard on myself because golf is a long career and you can't have too many highs and lows in terms of emotions.

"You've just got to try and keep it on an even keel and I feel like I've done a better job of that this year as the months have gone past.

"You know you have to go through the lows," he added. "And I'm not saying it was a low this year, it's not like I plummeted off the face of the earth.

"I'm still sixth in the world so it's not too bad. It's not the level that I feel like I can play to but I feel I'm getting back there, so it's very pleasing."

"I thought worst case scenario I'd have a putt for a play off and then all of a sudden I have a putt for the win. I didn't want to go extra holes," he said.