Tommy Fleetwood defeated Marcus Kinhult in a play-off to win his second Rolex Series title at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.
The Englishman started the final day 3 shots behind but made three eagles and closed with 65 to set the target at 12 under.
Swede Kinhult was very consistent in a final round 68 as he tried to win for a second European Tour title of the season after he won the Betfred British Masters.
A bad tee shot on the first play-off hole meant Kinhult had to chop out sideways and accept a bogey, with Fleetwood making a great excellent up and down to save par and win US$2.5million – which is the biggest winner’s prize in European Tour history.
Race to Dubai leader Bernd Wiesbger, Belgian Thomas Detry and Australian Jason Scrivener finished in a tie for third at eight under.
This win takes Fleetwood up to 2nd on the Race to Dubai Rankings as he looks to be crowned Europe’s Number One for the second time in three seasons at next week’s season finale in Dubai.
Fleetwood stated “Golf is a funny old game and all we want to do is win,” he said. “Everybody strives for the same thing week in, week out and unless you do you’re never satisfied, even finishing second.
“I was struggling with levels of expectation because I wasn’t playing how I thought that I should or achieving the things that I wanted to.
“It’s such a great, great thing and a feeling to be playing with a chance to win the Race to Dubai in the last event. Everybody starts the Tour at the start of the season to get there and to be one of the guys that can actually finish at the top is very special.
“At a young age now you have a chance to set your family up for life and I think of all my achievements that’s the thing I’m most proud of.
“It’s great to have something like that and put that one in the bank account but nothing comes close to holding this trophy – this is the most special thing.”
While disappointed to miss out on the victory, Kinhult was proud of his performance at an event where he finished last on 15 over last season.
“I’m proud,” he said. “I shot a good score today, got into the play-off and made a silly bogey but I’m happy with the week and how I played. It’s a good week.”
Kinhult made a big early move as he holed from 15 feet on the first and produced an excellent chip on the par five next to get within one.
