Gareth Maybin missed a putt to win on the final green

Gareth Maybin missed a putt to win the the South African Open Championship in Paarl before eventually losing out to Richard Sterne in a play-off.

The Ballyclare player needed a birdie on the last to take the title but lipped the putt and tied with local star Sterne on 14 under par.

Maybin drove into a bunker and parred the play-off hole which Sterne birdied.

Rory McIlroy finished just one stroke behind in joint third while Michael Hoey was four shots off the top pair.

Hoey from Belfast ended his good showing with a round of 69.

Nineteen-year-old McIlroy recovered superbly after starting with a couple of double bogeys and ended on 13 under alongside Ernie Els and Lee Westwood.

Darren Clarke came home in 41 on his way to a 78 which meant he finished on two under par, 12 shots behind Sterne and Maybin.

Reflecting on his birdie putt to win in regulation, Maybin said: "I just could not keep it straight to be honest.

"I had a reasonable putt, but just lagged it a little bit.

"Obviously I just came up a little short, but all in all I am very happy with myself and the way I held up."

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