Westwood Wins Nedbank Golf Challenge


Starting the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge with a seven-shot lead thanks to a record-setting 10-under 62 Saturday, Lee Westwood made sure that margin held up. The No. 3-ranked player in the world closed with a 1-over 73 to successfully defend his title in the event held at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa.

The 38-year-old Englishman finished at 15-under total of 273, two strokes clear of Sweden's Robert Karlsson, who closed with a 68. Jason Dufner (69) and Graeme McDowell (70) shared third at 11-under, while K.T. Kim took solo fifth after a 70 on Sunday.

"Incredible! This is a special win and my mum and dad are here to see me do it," said Westwood, who announced in November that he plans to play more tournaments next year on the PGA Tour.

"I was seven shots ahead going into the final round but no lead is ever big enough. It was a difficult situation choosing between a conservative and an aggressive approach.

"Robert, Graeme and Jason came after me and made some early birdies - but I never lost confidence in my ability to win this tournament. I love playing at Sun City."

Masters champion and local favorite Charl Schwartzel closed with a 72 to finish sixth, while Luke Donald also shot even-par to end up in seventh at 5-under par for the 72-hole event.

Westwood became the sixth player to win back-to-back Nedbank Challenge titles. Also doing that were South Africans David Frost and Ernie Els, Zimbabwean Nick Price, American Jim Furyk and the late Seve Ballesteros of Spain.

For all the scores, visit http://www.nedbankgolfchallenge.com/leaderboard.aspx.