TOUR CARDS ON OFFER AT PENINSULA

The Final Stage of Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia will be contested this week at the Peninsula Country Golf Club.

53 players who survived first stage qualifying will be joined by those already exempt into the final stage on the North Course at the Peninsula Country Golf Club when play gets underway at 7am tomorrow.

In total 82 players will tee it up this week, some looking to turn Professional, some to regain their Tour card and some to improve their status.

The winner of Qualifying School receives exemption category 8 (a). This is the equivalent of winning a State Based Championship however only entitles the Professional to this category for the 2014 season rather than the following two seasons.

Those players who finish from positions 2 – 25 on the Q-School leaderboard will receive category 11 while those who finish from 26 – 50 will receive category 14.

Players who finish outside the top-50, who do not already have a category, will not have status on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2014.

Some notables in the field include:

Kim Felton: It was a mixed year for Felton on Tour in 2013. He played 12 events, making five cuts with a T4 at the John Hughes Nexus Risk Service WA Open the highlight of his season. This wasn’t enough to see him retain his card so he is at Qualifying School to ensure his status for 2014.

Brady Watt: After a successful amateur career which included a stint as the number 1 amateur in the world Watt has turned Professional. Having already competed on Tour as an amateur, highlighted by his runner-up finish at the WA Open in 2012, Watt still needs to attend Qualifying School to ensure he has status on Tour in 2014.

Matthew Guyatt: In 2013 Guyatt played 10 tournaments on Tour highlighted by a T11 finish at the John Hughes Nexus Risk Services WA Open. He finished 68th on the Order of Merit which gives him status on Tour for 2014. Currently in category 12, Guyatt is aiming to improve this with a top-20 finish at Qualifying School. Last week Guyatt secured a card for the Japan Golf Tour which will alleviate some of the pressure this week.

Cameron Smith: Smith turned Professional mid way through the year and competed in four tournaments on Tour courtesy of sponsor invites. Making two cuts and finishing T13 at the Isuzu Queensland Open, his first tournament as a Professional was a solid effort, however failed to earn him enough money on the Order of Merit for status on Tour in 2014.

Tim Hart: Fresh from winning the First Stage of Qualifying School at the Peninsula Country Golf Club last week Hart will be looking to continue his form to earn status on Tour next year. In 2013 Hart completed the first year of his PGA Traineeship at Gainsborough Greens Golf Course and won the PGA National Futures Championship, one of the Traineeship’s most prestigious titles. This week he is looking to gain status on the Tour for the first time.

The Final Stage of Qualifying School will tee off at 7am tomorrow at the Peninsula Country Golf Club with four rounds to be played.

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Hanzel wins senior title at Dixie Amateur

Doug Hanzel won the senior-division title of the 83rd Dixie Amateur at Heron Bay Golf Club in Coral Springs, Fla., posting a 5-under 211 total. Finishing in second was his longtime friend, Jack Hall, who posted a three-day total of 213.

Hanzel, who is a critical care Pulmonology specialist from Savannah, Ga., is the 2013 U.S. Senior Amateur champion.

“Practice golf or practice medicine,” said Hanzel with a laugh after becoming the low amateur at the 2013 U.S. Senior Open. “I’d like to play more golf but I have a full time job.”

Hanzel, who held the lead after each round of the 54-hole tournament, closed with a 1-under 71 in windy conditions at Heron Bay. Hall, his closed pursuer, finished with a final-round 73.

Brady Exber of Las Vegas, the defending champion, finished in solo third after posting a final-round 71 for a 216 total.

“It was a little windy today,” said Hanzel. “We had a lot of cross winds which made it difficult to judge the distance. The breeze was strong enough to keep the hole location flags fully extended during most of the day."

Hanzel and Hall, who have competed against each other numerous times, usually have a lot of good-natured conversation on the course. But, on the 17th hole, things turned a little more serious.

Hall struck his approach shot to within 3 feet keeping pressure on Hanzel who had maintained a 2-shot lead most of the day. Hanzel answered with an approach shot to within 18 inches giving his friend a “take that” as both went on to make birdie. After hitting the green in regulation on No. 18, the two putt par gave Hanzel his two-stroke victory.

In the super senior division, Bill Dorece, of Pompano Beach, Fla., shot a low round of the day, 69, for a three-day total of 216 to defeat New York resident Steve Rose, who posted a three round total of 217.

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Rose, Scott, Woods and Mickelson may miss World Match Play

Justin Rose has revealed that he may skip the World Match Play Champion-ship in February, adding to the threatened exile of the top players from the World Golf Championship event.

Tim Finchem, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, will be alarmed to hear that Rose is considering opting out of the knockout tournament in February, which is supposed to feature the top 64 players in the world.

Phil Mickelson is another doubt, as is the world No.2 Adam Scott. And seeing as Tiger Woods's girlfriend, Lyndsey Vonn, is that week scheduled to compete for skiing gold in the -Winter Olympics, the world's premier matchplay event could be missing four of the game's top five players. That would be a devastating blow for the World Match Play, which is probably taking place for the last time in Tucson in February.

"I'm thinking about having a month off around the February time," Rose told the Telegraph. "It's been such a busy year and I think I probably need to recharge the batteries around then."

Rose, who is due to play his first event of the year in Abu Dhabi in the third week of January, will consult about his schedule with his manager, Mark Steinberg, having finished his 2013 campaign at the Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday. The Englishman, who won the US Open in June, came fourth behind Sergio Garcia at Amata Springs Country Club, just outside Bangkok.

After a year to forget, it was a day to remember for Garcia. The Spaniard had been winless all season, but his trophy-less form on the fairways was the last of his problems. In May, Garcia made a racist slur against Woods at the European Tour's annual awards dinner and, after a fine run before, made just one top 10 in his next six appearances.

Garcia has been showing good form of late, however, following up his runner-up placing at the Nedbank Championship in Sun City last week with his first victory since the Johor Open last December. With not only Rose in behind him, but also Henrik Stenson - who won the European Tour's Race To Dubai as well as the FedEx Cup, the US Tour equivalent - this was a notable success.

The 33 year-old, who had his girlfriend Katharina Boehm on the bag, conjured six birdies and two bogeys in a final-day 68 for a 22-under total, which was four too good for Stenson.

"It's feels amazing," Garcia said. "Henrik was pushing hard on that front nine - I'm just really happy to come through. I want to dedicate this win to my mum who had minor -surgery early last week and is now recovering nicely and to my girlfriend who was with me throughout."

The Frenchman Alexander Levy shot a 69 to finish a further four shots back in third place, while the defending champion, Charl Schwartzel, was tied for fourth with Japan's Yuki Kono, Rose and the Indian Anirban Lahiri.

Meanwhile, rumours began to build that Rory McIlroy is being lined up to sign with Team8, the agency set up by Roger Federer's agent Tony Godsick. McIlroy officially quit Horizon Sports Management in October and although he has stated his desire to go alone, McIlroy is close to Federer because of the former's relationship with Caroline Wozniacki.

Federer and Godsick were with IMG until 2012 but are now seeking to expand the operation. They have signed Juan Martin del Potro, tennis's world No.5, and it is understood that talks have been held with McIlroy.

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Pinckney leads through four rounds at Web.com Tour Q-School

LA QUINTA, Calif. – Scott Pinckney shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday on PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament Course to take a one-stroke lead after the fourth round of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.

The 24-year-old Pinckney, a former Arizona State player, had a 21-under 267 total after 72 holes in the six-day, 108-hole event that will determine player priority rankings for the Web.com Tour season.

''It felt like I was going to make the putt even before I hit it,'' Pinckney said. ''I really saw the line well and just trusted it. You're going to hit good putts and they're not going to go in, but it was my turn on the back nine.''

Pinckney missed an 18-footer for eagle at No. 11, then one-putted the final seven holes - five for birdies, including a 15-footer at the closing hole.

''It's all about seeing the line,'' he said. ''Every golfer has had that. You have to keep trusting what you're doing.''

Scotland's Jimmy Gunn was second after a 66, also on the Nicklaus course.

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Matt Kuchar and Harris English combine for victory in golf's Franklin Templeton Shootout

MATT Kuchar and Harris English combined to shoot 14-under-par 58 on Sunday for a record-setting victory in the Franklin Templeton Shootout.

Kuchar and English went into Sunday's final round of the unofficial event for two-man teams with a four-stroke lead and finished on 34-under-par 182.

Their 54-hole scored matched the 34-under-par 182 tournament record set in 1990 by Fred Couples and Raymond Floyd when the event was staged at Sherwood Country Club in California.

It improved the low 54-hole score since the event moved to Tiburon Golf Club, which was a 33-under-par 183 by Brad Faxon and Scott McCarron in 2001.

The seven-stroke margin of victory also broke the tournament record of six strokes set in 1989 by David Duval and Fred Couples.

"It was nice to come here and perform well," said Kuchar. "We made a boatload of birdies. It was a fun three days for sure."

South Africa's Retief Goosen and teammate Freddie Jacobson of Sweden shot 61 on Tiburon Golf Club's Gold Course to take second place on 27-under 189.

The English duo of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood fired a 59 and grabbed third at 26-under.

Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel placed fourth at 24-under, one stroke ahead of last year's champions Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair, who had led after Friday's opening round.

Kuchar and English took charge in Saturday's better-ball format and never wavered in Sunday's scramble.

English said he was looking forward to a short Christmas vacation with his family, before the US PGA Tour's 2013-14 season resumes in Hawaii in January.

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English, Kuchar triumph in Naples

The team of Harris English and Matt Kuchar claimed a convincing seven-shot win at the Franklin Templeton Shootout.

The American duo shot a closing 12-under-par 58 on the final day of the three-day event in Naples, Florida, for a 34 under total, leaving second-placed Retief Goosen and Freddie Jacobson trailing in their wake seven shots back.

Goosen and Jacobson also shot 11 under for the second consecutive day, but failed to make up any ground.

The English pair of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter claimed third place a shot further adrift on 26 under after closing with an 11-under-par 59.

Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel followed in fourth place on 24 under, while defending champions Sean O'Hair and Kenny Perry, who led after the first day's play but lost ground on Saturday, were fifth on 23 under.

Rory Sabbatini and Scott Verplank finished on 22 under with Charles Howell and Justin Leonard a further stroke behind.

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Franklin Templeton shootout: Harris English and Matt Kuchar ease to title

Harris English and Matt Kuchar claimed a convincing victory at the Franklin Templeton shootout after firing a closing 58 on the final day in Naples, Florida.

The American duo went round in 12 under on Saturday in the fourballs and went two better in the final-round scramble to finish seven shots clear of Retief Goosen and Freddie Jacobson.

Goosen and Jacobson fired 11 under for the second day running but that was only good enough to put them 27 under for the tournament and left them trailing in the wake of Harris and Kuchar.

European Ryder Cup duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were a further shot back after firing 59 on Sunday with Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel a shot behind them.

Defending champions Sean O'Hair and Kenny Perry held the lead after day one but lost ground in Saturday's fourballs and finished the tournament on 23 under.

Rory Sabbatini and Scott Verplank finished on 22 under with Charles Howell and Justin Leonard a further stroke behind.

There then came a group of three teams tied for eighth with tournament host Greg Norman and Jonas Blixt, Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker, and Graham DeLaet and Mike Weir all on 19 under.

Jason Dufner and Chad Campbell finished a further shot back with the pairing of Chad Campbell and Mike Calcavecchia completing the field on 15 under.

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Martens and Teachman share lead after Round 2 at Lalla Aicha Tour School Final Qualifying

Norwegian Caroline Martens and Tessa Teachman of the United States fired matching rounds of 71 on the Samanah and Al Maaden golf courses in Marrakech respectively to share the lead after the second round at the Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Aicha Tour School Final Qualifying for 2014.

The pair ended a stroke ahead of England’s Anna Scott and Italian Sophie Sandolo in the five-round examination, with first round leader Rebecca Sorensen of Sweden and Austrian amateur Nina Muehl a stroke behind on four-under-par.

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Wesselingh cruises to win in Mauritius

Poste de Flacq, Mauritius - Paul Wesselingh carded a 3- under 69 on Sunday to cruise to a 5-stroke victory at the MCB Tour Championship.

Wesselingh wrapped up his fourth European Senior Tour title of the season at 14-under-par 202 at Constance Belle Mare Plage. He is the first player to record that many wins in a season since Boonchu Ruangkit in 2010.

Also with the win, Wesselingh claimed the top spot on the European Senior Tour's Order of Merit.

"It feels like it was meant to be. I feel incredibly honored and delighted," he said. "It's hard to believe what I have done this year, really. To win four times and to win the Order of Merit is an incredible achievement."

David Frost (66) and Miguel Angel Martin (67) shared second place at 9-under 207, while Pedro Linhart (68) and Roger Chapman (69) tied for fourth at minus-8.

Colin Montgomerie (74) finished in solo sixth at 6-under.

Wesselingh entered the final round with a 3-stroke lead and he was never threatened, recording a birdies at the fourth, seventh and eighth during an outward 33 to make to turn at 14-under.

The Englishman then posted two bogeys and a pair of birdies over his final nine holes to roll to the easy win.

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Lahiri aims to learn from fourth place finish

Bangkok, December 15: India’s Anirban Lahiri was a dejected man after finishing tied fourth at the Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday but believes he will come out stronger in the New Year.

The 26-year-old failed to challenge for the title at Amata Spring Country Club, closing with a one-over-par 73 to share fourth place with last year’s champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, world number four Justin Rose of England and Japan’s Yuki Kono.

“It was a disappointing round today. I don’t think I was as focused as I needed to be on the greens. I missed a lot of putts, especially on the back nine. I couldn’t get any momentum. Any time I hit a good shot, I would miss the putt,” said Lahiri, who is fifth on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

“I just made two bogeys today, and one birdie, and there are lots of birdies on this golf course to be made. So I felt like quite disappointed. It was probably my worst round of golf in three tournaments, so not a great time but still happy with the way I played this week.”

Lahiri enjoyed the experience of playing alongside winner Sergio Garcia and world number three Henrik Stenson in the final group in the final round, saying it would come to good stead when he gets back into a similar situation in the future.

“I think it’s been a positive week for me, a great experience playing with Henrik and Rickie (Fowler) yesterday and Sergio, to see how all the best in the world go about their business, tells you what you need to bring about in your own game,” said Lahiri.

“Personally with my game, I think the putter ran hot and cold. It was really good the last couple of days. I had to just keep it going, nine more holes maybe today. But I’m happy. There’s a lot of work I need to do on my game but it’s been a good year. I’m looking forward to some time off, feeling a bit tired as well,” added the Indian.

With one win and six top-10s, including three runner-up finishes, Lahiri is poised to enjoy his best season of his burgeoning career.

“I think this is probably my most consistent year. I’ve played really solid golf. My game has become much sharper than it was. In terms of my ball striking, I think it’s been on and off. It comes and goes. But what I’m really happy about is I’ve played 11 out of the last 12 weeks, and I’m not tired mentally. That is something that would have been the case two or three years ago but now mentally, I think I’m a much stronger person and not just strength but endurance,” said Lahiri.

“Maturity will come I guess. I am now getting to 26 now and I was playing with Rickie yesterday and I was the oldest guy in the group. So, six years on Tour, the experience should be there, so hopefully draw on it and win a few more events.”

About the Thailand Golf Championship

The primary organizers of the event are Gulf Sports Management, the Asian Tour and IMG. They have been well supported by both government and private organizations such as Siam Commercial Bank, Gulf JP, Toyota, Tourism Authority of Thailand, PTT Public Company Ltd, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Thaioil, IRPC, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Omega, Nooter / Eriksen, Samithivej Hospital, Starwood, CNN, SuperSports, Heineken, Ricoh, Graham Beck Wines, EST Cola, Panasonic, Srixon, Central Pattana, Bangkok Post and Amata Spring Country Club.

Thailand Golf Championship tickets are available at Thaiticketmajor at Baht 300 each for Round 1 and 2 (December 12 and 13). The price for Round 3 (December 14) is Baht 400, and for the final day on December 15 the price is Baht 500. A 4-day package ticket is only Baht 800. Children below the age of 16 and senior citizens 60-years-old and over can enjoy Thailand Golf Championship for free.

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LPGA roundtable: Inbee's credit, Ko's start, more

Inbee Park chased history with three consecutive major titles. Did she get the credit she deserved?

• Baldry: Of course not. While Park did go on a NYC media blitz after winning the U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack, the buzz did not transcend the sport. Even at the Home of Golf, where Park would’ve won her fourth straight, the crowd support was disappointing. Some of the main British tabloids even skipped out on St. Andrews. And only one American newspaper writer crossed the pond.
• Williams: Park’s quest for the Grand Slam was easily the best story in professional golf this year. Still, it didn’t make nearly as many headlines as it should have. In golf circles, Park was a hot topic. Outside of our world, however, it seemed that few knew anything about her, or her dominance of the sport. It’s a shame the story couldn’t have traveled farther – it really was one for the ages.

Lydia Ko won three professional titles in 2013, bringing her career total to five. Was turning pro the right decision?

• Baldry: Absolutely. Will Ko miss out on having a regular childhood? Yes. But how many kids would trade their lives for one in which they’re making millions and traveling the world? We don’t question child actors or musicians for dedicating their lives to their craft at an early age. We celebrate Olympic gymnasts, swimmers and skaters who sacrifice normalcy to win gold and pose on a Wheaties box. How is this any different?
• Williams: In professional sports, “strike while the iron is hot” is usually pretty sound advice. In Ko’s case, it would be hard to justify playing on a college roster after five professional victories. It would be a step down, and frankly, a waste of talent. Junior golf to college golf to professional golf is a good formula for most, but if Ko has figured out how to win on the LPGA, she might as well be getting paid for it.

Europe wins the Solheim Cup on American soil for a second consecutive victory. Is there something wrong with the U.S. system?

• Baldry: European golf federations are pouring resources into developing young talent and the results are obvious. There is no such nationwide program here in the U.S., and our players are being overwhelmed by worldwide talent. And, in many cases, being outworked. It’s time to get organized.
• Williams: The most noticeable difference between the American and European teams at the Solheim Cup was attitude. Led by a brash Suzann Pettersen, Europe was young, fearless and carefree on a course (Colorado Golf Club) where the best putters prevailed. The Americans, meanwhile, seemed to have trouble staying out of their own way. Perhaps the Americans are unfamiliar with match play, or maybe it was just the perfect setup for an American upset. Better luck next time, girls.

Michelle Wie’s awkward putting stance – a.k.a. “table-topping” – goes the distance in 2013. How much longer will it last?

• Baldry: Wie claims standing at a 90-angle actually helps her back, but it’s difficult to imagine that posture being a long-term solution. The numbers, however, don’t lie. In 2012, Wie finished 119th in both putting categories – putts per green in regulation and average number of putts per round. This year she’s ranked 25th in putts per GIR and 53rd in total putts. Wie averaged 31.16 putts per round in 2012 and 29.88 in ’13.
• Williams: Wie’s putting stance is painful to watch, and shocking the first time you see it. If you look only at her stats column, however, the awkwardness almost seems justifiable. Wie was 53rd in putting average for 2013, up from 119th in 2012, 114th in 2011 and 124th in 2010. Hard to imagine that putting posture can last indefinitely (ouch!), but it certainly did the trick this season.

Lexi Thompson, 18, won twice in the second half of the season. What does that mean for the LPGA?

• Baldry: Thompson began delivering on the promise she showed as a 16-year-old when she became the youngest to win an LPGA event (a record since trumped by Ko). For a while, it looked like Thompson’s putting might keep her from being any real kind of threat. This fall, however, she changed that. Thompson showed up at the Rolex Awards Reception in Naples last month wearing a tight red dress and cheetah-print pumps. She’s all grown up. And those head-turning looks combined with a powerful swing make her the ideal package for the LPGA. She’s a needle-mover.
• Williams: As Thompson matures into a striking and powerful young player, she becomes a better draw for the LPGA. Thompson seemed to grow into her hype and her talent this year, truly becoming a face for women’s golf. The tour needs players with whom fans can easily connect.

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Number Crunching 2013: Yani Tseng

In a way, Yani Tseng didn’t really mind that hernia operation. Because for the first time in a long time, she was able to rest.

“First time I feel my mind is totally relaxed,” said Tseng from her second home in San Diego. She felt “useless,” and it was great.

Tseng, 24, had experienced pain while hitting driver for the past couple of years, but it wasn’t until September that she showed her manager the increasingly large protrusion. Tseng immediately saw a doctor, who said surgery could be scheduled the next day. She protested, not wanting to miss part of the Asian swing, particularly the LPGA event in Taiwan. The doc told her to swing easy and pack light for the next month, and she had surgery Oct. 30, putting an early end to a somewhat shocking 2013.

For 109 weeks Tseng had been at the top of women’s golf. Stacy Lewis overtook her last March in Phoenix, and Tseng expressed relief. No one, however, could have predicted the ensuing tumble. She ended the year No. 29 in the Rolex Rankings, and, for the first time in her career, failed to earn $1 million in a season, making $405,068. It also marked the first time in six years on tour that she didn’t win a title.

“You have to want to be there,” said Hall of Famer Beth Daniel, of being at the top. “In Yani’s case, Yani didn’t want to be there. She wasn’t comfortable. So what happened? You let off the gas pedal a little bit and you start losing it all.”

For six months Tseng didn’t want to be seen in public back home in Taiwan. Everywhere she went, people asked why she wasn’t playing well.

“I didn’t go back to Taiwan much,” Tseng said. “I was kind of hiding in the U.S. I was very afraid.”

Then there was all the advice. Everywhere she turned, someone had an opinion. Tseng began to second-guess herself. Confusion set in.

On the golf course, a tree she wouldn’t even see as World No. 1 suddenly became a focal point. She grew frustrated. Her scoring average in 2011 (71.07) won the Vare Trophy. This year, she ranked 35th in scoring, up 2.047 strokes.

“I knew how tough my mental (game) can be. But I still couldn’t control myself,” said Tseng, who dropped from No. 15 to No. 76 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index.

She switched coaches, leaving Gary Gilchrist over the summer to begin working with Kevin Smeltz, who recently became the face of the International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, S.C. She wanted to hear “a different way to explain the same thing.”

Close friends encouraged her to approach the game like an artist. Passion is everything, they said. She returned to Taiwan this fall more confident, walking the streets with her head held high. Now when people ask questions, she responds by saying, “I’m doing well, but thanks for asking.”

“When I look back I know it was not a good year,” said Tseng, “but I feel I improved everything else except the score. I improved my life, my personality, the way I’m thinking.”

In looking at what happened to Tseng this year, Daniel said, credit those who have been on top for a long period of time for having the desire and heart to get up every morning and do what it takes to be there.

Tseng wants to get back there.

“These couple years, I learned a lot,” Tseng said. “My goal is to still try to get on top and to play the golf I love.”

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Kuchar and English in charge

Matt Kuchar and Harris English will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout after a brilliant 12-under-par 60 in the second day.

Having started Saturday's better-ball format at the Tiburon Golf Club's Course in Florida at eight-under-par, the pair produced the goods on the back nine.

They were just one under par after seven holes, but then made six consecutive birdies, an eagle and three more birdies with their 12 under just one shot away from the all-time record in the event's better-ball format set by Americans John Daly and Frank Lickliter in 2001.

Their fireworks on the back nine left them with a healthy lead over Retief Goosen and Freddie Jacobson, who shot a 61 to lie at 16-under.

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood (61) are another three shots back along with joint overnight leaders Charles Howell III and Justin Leonard.

Day one co-leaders and defending champions Kenny Perry and Sean O'Hair had a poor day as they are now in a tie for sixth with Rory Sabbatini and Scott Verplank after shooting a 69.

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Victory for Van der Walt

South African Dawie van der Walt held his nerve on the final round of the Nelson Mandela Championship to secure a two stroke victory over England's Matthew Baldwin and Spaniard Jorge Campillo.

Van der Walt finished the rain interrupted event which was reduced to 54-holes at 15-under-par (195).

The win also won him the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit for 2013, his €1-million cheque ensuring that he passes long-time leader Darren Fichardt who had to settle for a share of 50th at the Kwa-Zulu Natal tournament.

Van der Walt had been recovering from an ankle injury and has failed to make the cut in all but one European Tour event this season.

The 2013 Tswane Open winner said that he had hit 'rock-bottom' and was as surprised as anyone that he held his nerve after dropping shots on the eighth and 11th holes.

"I was pleased with the bogey putt at eight," Van der Walst said of the hole where he had a difficult chip from the deep-rough.

"It could so easily have been a three-putt. And 11 was playing tough anyway, so I was ready to battle through that one."

On the 12th he made eagle and would go on to card birdies on the 13th and 15th to pull clear of the rest of the field.

Lady luck smiled on him on the 15th where his rescue shot struck a fan. He still had a good lie and drained a 20 foot putt for birdie.

Van der Walt made par on the last three holes, admitting that he was a far more relaxed man after his good fortune on the 15th.

"Once I got that birdie on 15, I was pretty comfortable that the tournament was mine to lose. I wasn't sure what the guys behind me were doing, but I knew that they would have to go for birdies if they were to force a play-off.

"So I was pretty relaxed coming home - it helped that I had been in that position before," he added.

With this win Van der Walt has secured a place in next year's Open Championship at Hoylake in Liverpool.

"It will be my first major," he said. "I hope I can be at the top of my game then and test myself against the best in the world."

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Thailand Golf Championship: Sergio Garcia secures first win of 2013 after final round 68

Sergio Garcia carded a final round 68 to take victory in the Thailand Golf Championship and secure his first title of 2013.

The 33-year-old Spaniard, who fired a second straight seven-under-par 65 on Saturday, turned in a solid final round that featured six birdies and two bogeys to finish on 22-under - four strokes ahead of world No 3 Henrik Stenson.

The victory at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi is Garcia's first in a year with his last win coming at the Johor Open, an Asian Tour event in Malaysia last December.

"It's feels amazing," he said. "Obviously, I've been fortunate to play here three times, counting this one, and I've been getting better every year, but it was a great week from the beginning.

"They have taken such great care of us here and Henrik was pushing, he was pushing hard on that front nine.

Dedication

"I made a couple of pars and he missed a couple of birdie putts. I'm just really happy to come through.

"I want to dedicate this win to my mum who had minor surgery early last week and is now recovering nicely and to my girlfriend who was with me throughout."

Sweden's Stenson, who recently made history when he became the first player to win the Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup, matched Garcia's 68 in his final round for a closing total of 18-under.

Frenchman Alexander Levy shot a 69 to finish another four shots back in third place.

Last year's winner, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, with a second straight 67, was joint fourth along with Yuki Kono of Japan, US Open champion Justin Rose, and Anirban Lahiri of India.

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Franklin Templeton Shootout: Harris English and Matt Kuchar four shots clear

Harris English and Matt Kuchar took a stranglehold on the Franklin Templeton Shootout in Naples, Florida, with a 12-under-par second round.

The American pair responded well to a charge by Retief Goosen and Freddie Jacobson by producing the best score of the day under the better-ball format.

The latter pair managed 11 under for the day, as did all-English team Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter to jump to third place.

English and Kuchar were one of three pairs tied for the lead after Friday's modified alternate shot round and kept their form going in round two, though South African veteran Goosen and his Swedish partner moved within a shot at one point.

The leaders responded well, though, and pulled four shots clear at 20 under with a strong finish.

Goosen and Jacobsen were a further three clear of Poulter and Westwood, whose 13-under total saw them catch another of Friday's leading pairs, Charles Howell III and Justin Leonard.

Chris DiMarco and Billy Horschel were eight under for the day and 12 under in total, one ahead of Sean O'Hair and Kenny Perry - the final Friday pace-setters - and Rory Sabbatini and Scott Verplank.

Jonas Blixt and Greg Norman moved off the foot of the standings with a brilliant nine-under-par score, having been only level par on Friday, while Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker were eight under.

The Canadian duo of Graeme DeLaet and Mike Weir were seven under, level with Jason Dufner and Dustin Johnson, while Mark Calcavecchia and Chad Campbell propped up the standings on six under.

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Nelson Mandela Championship: Dawie van der Walt delights home crowd in Durban

South African Dawie van der Walt shot a closing 66 to score a two-shot win in the Nelson Mandela Championship in Durban.

The 30-year-old, who captured his first European Tour win in the Tshwane Open in Centurion earlier this year, finished on 15-under in a tournament reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather.

England's Matthew Baldwin (68) and Spain's Jorge Campillo (68), who shot a startling though unofficial 59 in round two, finished tied second on 13-under.

Frenchman Romain Wattel took solo fourth after a 67 while it was a further shot back to South African Oliver Bekker (69) in fifth.

Van der Walt had produced a mixed bag in the third and final round at Mount Edgecombe golf club, mixing three birdies and three bogeys over the first 11 holes.

However, an eagle at 12 and birdies at 13 and 15 saw him take control.

His victory came the day before Nelson Mandela's funeral, the former President having passed away last week at the age of 95.

Really special

"It's obviously really special, making you a part of history," said van der Walt.

"Winning The Nelson Mandela at this time, when it's sad for everyone, everyone is mourning and tomorrow's the big day, it means a lot and it's something I can keep close to my heart for ever."

Since winning March's Tshwane Open, van der Walt has missed a rash of cuts after suffering injury problems and a loss of form.

However, once he claimed the outright lead with an eagle from 30 feet at the 12th, the World Number 337 never looked like relinquishing the 158,500 Euro winner's cheque.

"I haven't been in that good form, I've been struggling with an injury, so this is almost overwhelming," added van der Walt, whose victory also saw him claim the co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit for 2013.

"To win the last event of the year is going to make Christmas a lot more fun."

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