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Sterne wins Joburg playoff

13/01/2008

South African Richard Sterne has won the Joburg Open after two extra holes in a three-way playoff.

Sterne finished level with Sweden's Magnus Carlsson and fellow South African Garth Mulroy on 13-under-par for the tournament after 72 holes.

All three men birdied the first extra hole, the par-five 18th, but when they replayed the same hole a second time Sterne was the only one to make it in four shots, thus handing him the title.

It was an eventful day for the 27-year-old who had begun in a tie for 11th place, four shots behind overnight leader Mark Murless.

Sterne bogeyed the first hole in his final round but still went on to record a score of six-under-par.

He claimed three birdies on the front nine and two more at the 11th and 14th holes but was still two shots behind then-leader Mulroy.

When Mulroy parred the final two holes Sterne seized his opportunity and made two birdies to force the playoff.

Carlsson finished in a similar manner to take his day's score to five under, while home town favourite Murless, who had led for much of the tournament, cracked under the pressure.

Murless carded a 73 in his final round to finish four shots back tied for fifth place.

Sterne said he was happy to finish on a high after beginning the tournament in poor form.

He said: "I didn't get off to a good start at all. I think I was three over at some stage, but I came back strong and that's what it's about."

Darren Clarke came close to joining the playoff but a bogey at the 17th hole ended his chances and he finished two shots behind Sterne.