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Fichardt triumphs on home soil

Fichardt triumphs on home soil
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

South Africa's Darren Fichardt captured his fourth European Tour victory on Sunday with a two-stroke win at the Africa Open, while Australian Brett Rumford tied for 12th place.

Fichardt ensured the trophy was won by a local for the sixth time since the tournament's inception in 2008, when he signed off on a one-under 71 in the final round to finish at 16-under overall.

The 37-year-old led by as many as three shots on the back nine, but bogeys on 16 and 17 made for a nervous finish, with compatriot and playing partner Jaco van Zyl breathing down his neck.

However, it was Van Zyl - chasing his first European Tour victory - who blinked on the 18th with a bogey, while Fichardt sunk a regulation par putt to seal the win at Eastern Cape.

"I started losing focus," Fichardt said.

"I was four shots ahead and I started taking it for granted.

"I was putting unbelievable and then I missed a short putt at the 14th and thought 'what's going on here?'

"This is one of my favourite tournaments. The golf course is second to none - you've got to hit a lot of knock down shots and irons off the tee."

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy fired a two-under 70 on Sunday to claim a share of second place at 14-under with van Zyl.

Another local, Garth Mulroy, was outright fourth after his five-under 67 took him to 13-under.

England's Andy Sullivan carded a four-under 68 - his best round of the week - to finish on 11-under alongside South Africans Desvonde Botes and Tjaart van der Walt, and Chilean Mark Tullo.

Rounding out the top 10 were South African Andrew Curlewis, Portugal's Ricardo Santos and Argentine Emiliano Grillo - with Curlewis the best performed of the trio in the final round with a five-under 67.

Halfway leader Adilson da Silva failed to back up his opening 36 holes by signing off on a four-over 76 in his finale to end the event in a tie for 12th.

The Brazilian was level with Rumford and South African Thomas Aiken on nine-under.

Rumford closed his tournament with a 70 to make it four consecutive rounds below par in a consistent performance.

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