Sweden's Henrik Stenson was in a class of his own as he fired a final-round 68 to win the Sun City Challenge title by nine strokes yesterday.
Sweden's Henrik Stenson was in a class of his own as he fired a final-round 68 to win the Sun City Challenge title by nine strokes yesterday.
Stenson never gave the rest of the field a look in as he made five birdies before a final-hole bogey slightly spoilt his scorecard.
The in-form 32-year-old finished on 21 under, with American Kenny Perry his closest challenger after a fine 65.
Robert Karlsson was a further three shots back in third.
Stenson, who took an eight-stroke lead into the last day, gave a clinical display as the 12-man field failed to get within touching distance of the player who dominated the event from start to finish.
"An eight-shot lead going into the final round made me feel pretty comfortable, and I just went out there and took care of business," said Stenson after receiving the $1,2 million (about R12 million) winner's cheque.
"It was a bit slow in the first nine but I seem to like the homeward nine here, and I got the birdies going again."
First three days, starting on Thursday, of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in brief:
l Day 1 - The tall Stenson cast a dominating presence in Thursday's first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club.
Stenson who was the only player with a woman caddie, making only his third appearance in this 12-man invitation tournament, produced a scintillating round of nine-under-par 63 to lead the field by five strokes over South Africa's Rory Sabbatini.
England's Lee Westwood was third after a two-under-par 70.
Stenson's opening round ties the 63 Ernie Els carded in 2002 as the official lowest rounds in the history of this tournament, and continues his impressive form in this event.
Defending champion South African Trevor Immelman finished a joint fourth on par 72 with James Kingston, Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Luke Donald (England), KJ Choi (South Korea) and Sergio Garcia of Spain;
l Day 2 - Stenson was still in a five-shot lead when lightning forced a delay in play in Friday's second round.
Stenson had just completed the first nine holes in 34 strokes, two under par, with superb approach play bringing him birdies on the par-five second and ninth holes and on the par-four fifth; and
l Day 3 - Stenson completed the second round of the rain-interrupted tournament on Saturday with his four-shot lead intact.
The skies cleared and play resumed with Stenson, who started the second round with a five-shot lead, dropping two shots on his way to a one-under 71.
Stenson, on 10-under 134, led by four from Sabbatini and was five clear of Sun City debutant Choi. - BBC, Sapa and Sowetan
stenson a class act
Sweden's Henrik Stenson was in a class of his own as he fired a final-round 68 to win the Sun City Challenge title by nine strokes yesterday.
Sweden's Henrik Stenson was in a class of his own as he fired a final-round 68 to win the Sun City Challenge title by nine strokes yesterday.
Stenson never gave the rest of the field a look in as he made five birdies before a final-hole bogey slightly spoilt his scorecard.
The in-form 32-year-old finished on 21 under, with American Kenny Perry his closest challenger after a fine 65.
Robert Karlsson was a further three shots back in third.
Stenson, who took an eight-stroke lead into the last day, gave a clinical display as the 12-man field failed to get within touching distance of the player who dominated the event from start to finish.
"An eight-shot lead going into the final round made me feel pretty comfortable, and I just went out there and took care of business," said Stenson after receiving the $1,2 million (about R12 million) winner's cheque.
"It was a bit slow in the first nine but I seem to like the homeward nine here, and I got the birdies going again."
First three days, starting on Thursday, of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in brief:
l Day 1 - The tall Stenson cast a dominating presence in Thursday's first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club.
Stenson who was the only player with a woman caddie, making only his third appearance in this 12-man invitation tournament, produced a scintillating round of nine-under-par 63 to lead the field by five strokes over South Africa's Rory Sabbatini.
England's Lee Westwood was third after a two-under-par 70.
Stenson's opening round ties the 63 Ernie Els carded in 2002 as the official lowest rounds in the history of this tournament, and continues his impressive form in this event.
Defending champion South African Trevor Immelman finished a joint fourth on par 72 with James Kingston, Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Luke Donald (England), KJ Choi (South Korea) and Sergio Garcia of Spain;
l Day 2 - Stenson was still in a five-shot lead when lightning forced a delay in play in Friday's second round.
Stenson had just completed the first nine holes in 34 strokes, two under par, with superb approach play bringing him birdies on the par-five second and ninth holes and on the par-four fifth; and
l Day 3 - Stenson completed the second round of the rain-interrupted tournament on Saturday with his four-shot lead intact.
The skies cleared and play resumed with Stenson, who started the second round with a five-shot lead, dropping two shots on his way to a one-under 71.
Stenson, on 10-under 134, led by four from Sabbatini and was five clear of Sun City debutant Choi. - BBC, Sapa and Sowetan
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