Danny Willett wins Nedbank Golf Challenge

England's Danny Willett won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa

Danny Willett wins Nedbank Golf Challenge
Danny Willett won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
By
published

England’s Danny Willett fired an excellent final round of 66 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa by four shots from his countryman Ross Fisher.

England’s Danny Willett fired an excellent final round of 66 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa by four shots from his countryman Ross Fisher.

Willett had surged into contention with a 65 on Saturday and he continued in the same vein through the final round, making six birdies and no bogeys. The 27-year-old cruised home to pick up his second European Tour title and grab an early lead in the 2015 Race to Dubai.

“I've played good golf down here in South Africa before,” he said. “I love the place, love the people, everything about it is great. It's been a truly fun test of golf."

Another Englishman, Luke Donald, had started the final round in the lead. But he struggled to a closing 73 and slipped back into third spot. Although disappointed not to close out the victory, Donald was able to take the positives from his good showing over the first three days.

“It's nice to put myself back in position,” he said. “I could have played a bit better but I still would have had to shoot five under just to tie with Danny. He played really focused golf today and hats off, he's a deserved winner."

Germany’s Marcel Siem and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand both scored 68s on Sunday to finish the week in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Veteran Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez recorded back-to-back 69s on the weekend to move into sixth spot.

The European Tour remains in South Africa this week for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.

Nedbank Golf Challenge Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa Dec 4-7, purse €5,200,000, par 72

1    Danny Willett (Eng)    71    68    65    66    270    €864,976 2    Ross Fisher (Eng)        66    70    70    68    274    €576,650 3    Luke Donald (Eng)    71    63    69    73    276    €324,886 4    Marcel Siem (Ger)    68    72    71    68    279    €259,493 5    Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Tha) 72 73    68    68    281    €220,050 6    Miguel Angel Jimenez (Esp) 70 74    69    69    282    €181,645 T7    Jonas Blixt (Swe)        71    73    70    71    285    €126,373 T7    Tim Clark (RSA)        70    71    72    72    285    €126,373 T7    Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)    71    70    71    73    285    €126,373 T7    Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)    70    73    69    73    285    €126,373

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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