Overnight leader Lowry was pushed to the limit by Sterne but sank a crucial birdie on the final hole on Saturday to close with a round of 71 that took him to 18-under par 270 for the tournament.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster today," Irishman Lowry, who sealed a wire-to-wire win, said.

"I obviously went out with the lead by a few and before I knew it I was four behind. I was brave out there today. I ground it out well and I'm over the moon.

"I'm so excited with this win. I can't really tell you how good it feels to be standing here."

Western Australia's Jason Scrivener was the best finishing Aussie. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Chasing a fourth European Tour win, the 31-year-old Irishman got off to a poor start with three bogeys on the front nine to trail his nearest rival Sterne by four shots by the 11th hole.

However, he recovered ground with birdies on the 12th and 13th to capitalise on Sterne's blip in form, before his final birdie on the 18th helped him clinch his first title since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational four years ago.

Dutchman Joost Luiten was third on 15-under while Louis Oosthuizen was one shot and one place below him. World No.2 Brooks Koepka tied for ninth alongside Englishman Tom Lewis.

The best-ranked Australian was Jason Scrivener, who finished nine-under in equal 16th.

Scott Hend ended up two shots back from him in equal 27th, while Sam Brazel finished five-under to share 42nd place with six others.