The talented Immelman claimed his first victory on the US Tour

FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-13 T Immelman (SA)
-11 T Woods (US), M Goggin (AUS)
-9 T Clark (SA), S Leaney (Aus), J Furyk (US), S Cink (US), V Singh (Fij), C Pettersson (Swe)

Trevor Immelman kept Tiger Woods at bay to claim his first victory on the PGA Tour at the Western Open in Illinois.

The South African was just one stroke ahead of Woods after 71 holes but sank a 35-foot birdie putt at the last to win by two strokes on 13 under.

Woods parred the 17th and 18th to tie for second alongside Matthew Goggin.

Goggin and overnight leader Vijay Singh needed to sink eagles at the last to force a play-off but neither could manage it and Singh settled for fourth.

The Fijian mixed four bogeys with four birdies and then found the water on his way to a double-bogey at the last and a final round of 73.

Sweden's Carl Petterson closed with a level-par 71 to also finish tied for fourth along with South African Tim Clark, Australian Stephen Leaney and Americans Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk.

I'm very pleased to get back in contention after taking so much time off Tiger Woods

Justin Rose was the leading English contender, finishing tied for 19th on five under. Brian Davis and Luke Donald were one shot further back.

"It was just such a fantastic feeling to hole that putt, uphill and downhill," said Immelman after his final birdie.

"I really enjoyed every minute of it but to hole that putt on the last - it gives me goosebumps thinking about it. It hasn't quite sunk in yet."

Woods was three shots off the lead at Cog Hill going into the third round after an error-strewn 72 on Thursday.

He started his final round with a bogey and was one over for the day through nine but found his form after the turn.

The world number one birdied the 12th, 13th and 14th to move to within one shot of the lead.

Woods pumped his fist after a birdie at the 16th but it was to be his last.

But the 10-time major winner was pleased to work his way into the frame after his prolonged break from the tour.

[The Open] is by far my favorite golf tournament, so I'm really excited to be able to go there Matthew Goggin

"This is only my second tournament since the Masters so it's been a while, it's been a few months," said Woods.

"I'm very pleased to get back in contention after taking that much time off."

Immelman is not sure whether he will play the Open in a fortnight's time as his wife is expecting their first child in three weeks.

World number two Phil Mickelson will be expecting better at the Open after finishing his tournament tamely with a 71 to slide to three over.

Goggin's share of second place was good enough to earn a place in the Open as the highest finisher not already eligible.

"I've played it a couple times before," said the Australian.

"It's by far my favorite golf tournament to play in, so I'm really excited to be able to go there."