Rose (left) congratulates Immelman after his narrow defeat

A double-bogey six at the final hole saw Justin Rose hand a dramatic victory to Trevor Immelman at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City on Sunday.

Rose failed to capitalise on Immelman's run of successive bogeys over the last three holes to allow the South African a one-shot victory.

Immelman carded 72 for a 16-under-par 272, with Rose settling for a 73.

Three-time winner Ernie Els was third on 11 under, with Swede Henrik Stenson fourth on seven under.

Immelman and Rose started the day sharing the lead on 16 under par, but the South African bogeyed the 1st and Rose birdied the 2nd.

Immelman then played superbly for the next 13 holes, chipping in at 10 and 14 for birdie to pull two shots ahead.

This event is what we in South Africa have always regarded as Africa's major Trevor Immelman

But after going bogey-bogey at 16 and 17, suddenly it was all square again.

As the pressure mounted, Englishman Rose hooked his tee-shot into deep rough at the par-four 18th and had to lay up short of the water hazard that fronts the green.

His third shot flew over the green into the grandstand and he was allowed to drop out under penalty but ended up making six.

After a seven-iron to the back of the green, Immelman fluffed his first chip before hitting the next two feet past the hole and sinking the winning putt despite dropping another shot.

Fellow South African Els, who was chasing a record fourth title on the course, started the day five strokes back but bogeyed the opening hole to fall six back and never really recovered.

"I've always been very determined to be a world class golfer," said Immelman.

"Winning the World Cup for South Africa was one highlight, and outplaying Tiger Woods to win the Western Open on the PGA Tour last year was another.

"But this event is what we in South Africa have always regarded as Africa's major. Ever since I was a kid I've watched it on television.