SIMON WHITLOCK'S winning return to the Australian circuit has continued with victory in the Russell Stewart Classic.
Whitlock followed up his three wins during May in DartPlayers Australia events with a 7-6 triumph over Phil Bottrell in a tight final in Cootamundra.
Whitlock was unbeaten in the group stage of the Russell Stewart Classic and only dropped one leg in each of his knockout wins against Dave Fitzpatrick, Aaron Petty and Dave Muller to reach the final.
He kicked off the decider with a maximum and traded legs with Bottrell throughout.
Bottrell took a 4-3 lead with a 155 checkout, but Whitlock battled back level and edged the deciding leg.
Bottrell defeated Russell Stewart 6-3 in the semi-finals, and whitewashed Steve MacArthur in the last eight.
2009 Russell Stewart Classic
Last 16
Dave Muller 4-2 Dean McGladdery
Matt Meadowcroft 4-1 Daniel Sim
Simon Whitlock 4-1 Dave Fitzpatrick
Aaron Petty 4-2 Wayne Murray
Steve MacArthur 4-0 Nick Kaletta
Phil Bottrell 4-3 Greg L'Estrange
Ray O'Donnell 4-2 Don Whittington
Russell Stewart 4-0 Rod Crawford
Quarter-Finals
Dave Muller 5-0 Matt Meadowcroft
Simon Whitlock 5-1 Aaron Petty
Phil Bottrell 5-0 Steve MacArthur
Russell Stewart 5-0 Ray O'Donnell
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-1 Dave Muller
Phil Bottrell 6-3 Russell Stewart
Final
Simon Whitlock 7-6 Phil Bottrell