Richard Sterne wins Joberg Open

A final round of impressive ball-striking helped Richard Sterne win the Joberg Open after a three-way play-off. The South African?s week looked over early on when he was three-over par after just three holes of the first round. He fought back brilliantly to finish on 13-under.

The South African shot 65 on Sunday to finish tied with Magnus Carlsson and Garth Mulroy. Sterne then continued his superb long-iron play on the first play-off hole by finding the par-5 18th in two from a fairway bunker. All three players made birdie and moved back to the 18th tee. Sterne found the 551 yard hole in two, again with an iron, and his two opponents failed to make birdie. The 26-year old then two putted and claimed his first European Tour title on home soil.

Darren Clarke showed a return to form, finishing tied in fourth place on 11-under. A solid week for the 39-year-old Ulsterman which included an excellent second round of 65.

The win moves Sterne?s earnings on the European Tour to over £2 million.

Joberg Open

-13 R Sterne* (SA), M Carlsson (Swe), G Mulroy (SA),

-11 D Clarke (NIr)

-9 L Moolman (SA), C Williams (SA), M Murless (SA),

-8 T Ferreira (SA),

*Sterne wins at second play-off hole