Bjorn's Back-Nine Brilliance Earns Nedbank Golf Challenge Win


Even though he bogeyed the 18th hole in the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Thomas Bjorn's outstanding play on the home half at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, led the 42-year-old Dane to his 15th European Title.

Bjorn, who trailed 54-hole leader Jamie Donaldson of Wales by two strokes, opened with a 3-under 33 Sunday. On the back nine, he recorded two eagles, a birdie - and the bogey - for a closing 7-under 65 and 20-under 268 total and a two-stroke win in the 30-player tournament.

Bjorn earned $1.25 million, the biggest prize in his career.

Bjorn's eagles came on the 10th and 14th holes, both par-5s. "They were two big moments," he said. "Obviously, having two eagles on the back nine on a Sunday doesn't happen very often. The shot into 14 was a bit fortunate, but that's what happens when you win golf tournaments, I guess."

Finishing second were Donaldson (70) and Sergio Garcia, who matched Bjorn's 65 for the low round of the tournament.

Henrik Stenson shot a 67 for solo fourth at 272, while another stroke back was Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge (66).

The winner at last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, also shot 66 to take sixth at 275, while another stroke back were 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose (67) and American Ryan Moore (73).

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2013096/leaderboard/index.html.