South African claims maiden Tour victory

South Africa's Anton Haig claimed his first European Tour title ? the Johnnie Walker Classic ? after a three-way play-off.

The 20-year-old birdied the 18th at Blue Canyon CC in Thailand during both the final round and extra time to take the trophy from fellow South African Richard Sterne and England's Oliver Wilson. Both Sterne and Wilson had had putts on the 72nd hole for victory but failed to convert.

In an event dominated by South Africans, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els had threatened to challenge at various stages of the final round but never managed to catch the leaders.

This was Wilson?s second career play-off defeat ? he lost to Paul Casey in the Volvo China Open 15 months ago.

It looked like Haig had blown his opportunity when at the 18th in regulation play he leaked his tee shot, leaving a tricky downhill lie for his second. He hit a great approach over trees and rolled in the putt to set the 13-under-par target.

?When I hit the drive, I thought ?Oh, oh, this is trouble.? I thought I had actually lost the tournament there. The ball was lying on a downslope, not too good, but I hit a great lob wedge ? one of the best shots I?ve ever hit ? to about three feet for birdie,? he said.

Haig becomes the seventh first-time winner on the European Tour this season and the victory earns him ?310,801.

-13 A Haig (SA), R Sterne (SA), O Wilson (Eng)

-10 R Goosen (SA)

-9 M Weir (Can)

-8 C Montgomerie (Sco), G Ghei (India), E Els (SA), D Frost (SA)

Haig wins at first extra hole