In an unbelievable turn of events, John Bickerton was gifted the Alfred Dunhill Championship by Ernie Els. It looked like Els was in complete control when he hit the fairway on the final hole with a two shot lead at Leopard Creek. The South African then found the water twice and missed a 6ft putt for a seven which would have forced a play-off.
Bickerton made a great birdie at 17 and left another birdie putt agonisingly short on the final hole to finish with a 68, this gave Els a seemingly comfortable two-shot lead. The world number five hit a great drive on the par-5 18th to leave an iron into the green which he pushed into the water. He then took a drop, made a nervous looking swing and saw his pitch fly the green and end up in the water once again. After taking a second penalty drop Els pitched up to around six feet and missed his double-bogey putt.
While the result will be desperately disappointing for Els, it secures Bickerton?s playing privileges until 2010. Lee Slattery finished tied for second place and should be delighted with his form after securing his card at Qualifying School last week.
Alfred Dunhill Championship
-13 J Bickerton (Eng)
-12 E Els (SA), L Slattery (Eng)
-11 J Luiten (Hol)
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