South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen closed with a superb 66 at Durban Country Club to win the Volvo Golf Champions by a single shot from Scott Jamieson of Scotland.
Oosthuizen began the final round five shots behind the Scot, but he applied the pressure early with a string of birdies on the front nine. Jamieson couldn't respond and the South African was able to claim a sixth European Tour title, one that elevates him to a career-high of fourth on the Official World Golf Ranking.
"It was a great week, and it's a great start to the year," said the 30-year-old.
Jamieson was looking to add a second European Tour title to the one he picked up at the Nelson Mandela Championship last December. But his hopes were somewhat derailed by a double bogey on the fifth hole.
Still, he had a chance on the final hole to force a playoff, needing an eagle on the driveable par 4. His chip for a two looked to have a chance but it stopped agonisingly short, just a couple of inches from the cup.
"I gave it my all," he said. "Louis is a Major champion and there's no shame in losing to him.
Jamieson should move up to around 70th on the Official World Golf Ranking and will now be looking towards making the top-50 by the end of March in order to secure a start at the US Masters.
First round leader in Durban, Thongchai Jaidee, finished strongly with a 68 to end the week alone in third, two ahead of Ireland's Padraig Harrington who was fourth.
Volvo Golf Champions Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa Jan 10-13, purse €2,000,000 par 72
1 Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 68 64 74 66 272 €350,000 2 Scott Jamieson (Sco) 69 64 68 72 273 €226,300 3 Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 65 68 73 68 274 €131,300 4 Padraig Harrington (Ire) 70 71 67 68 276 €111,300 T5 Julian Quesne (Fra) 72 67 67 71 277 €87,850 T5 Danny Willett (Eng) 69 70 70 68 277 €87,850 T7 Branden Grace (RSA) 75 67 69 67 278 €66,400 T7 Paul Lawrie (Sco) 69 70 70 69 278 €66,400 T9 Thomas Bjorn (Den) 69 70 72 68 279 €45,357 T9 Rafa Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 72 69 70 68 279 €45,357 T9 Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel) 73 67 71 68 279 €45,357 T9 Shane Lowry (Ire) 70 69 70 70 279 €45,357 T9 Matteo Manassero (Ita) 75 69 66 69 279 €45,357 T9 Francesco Molinari (Ita) 70 70 68 71 279 €45,357 T9 Richie Ramsay (Sco) 69 73 70 67 279 €45,357
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage Where next? PGA Tour - Russell Henley wins Sony Open in Hawaii
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