 | FINAL LEADERBOARD SA unless stated
-10 R Goosen
-9 E Els
-2 D Fichardt, G Bourdy (Fra)
Level K Horne, M Eliasson (Swe), G Havret (Fra)
Selected others:
+2 R Fisher (Eng)
+9 J Rose (Eng) |
Retief Goosen birdied the final two holes to hold off a late charge from Ernie Els and claim the South African Open after a thrilling battle. Els rattled in six birdies either side of a double bogey to level the scores at eight under with two holes to play.
But he could only par the 17th while Goosen birdied it, and although Els did birdie the 18th his fellow South African matched him.
Goosen shot 70 to finish on 10 under, one clear of Els who carded a 68.
"Ernie played very well and I got away with it at the end there," said Goosen.
"It's great to win this trophy again, the last time was 10 years ago so it's great to get my hands on it again."
Goosen's birdie on the 17th hole came when he chipped in and he then made a tough birdie on the 18th after he had gone through the back of the green
"It was one of those chips that I can normally get to within eight feet, and it just went in," he said of his decisive birdie on the penultimate hole.
Goosen will now take six weeks off before contesting the Dubai Desert Classic.
MMIX
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