Darren Fichardt wins Africa Open

South Africa's Darren Fichardt won the Africa Open at the East London Golf Club by two strokes from his countryman Jaco Van Zyl and Gregory Bourdy of France.

Darren Fichardt wins Africa Open (Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
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South Africa's Darren Fichardt won the Africa Open at the East London Golf Club by two strokes from his countryman Jaco Van Zyl and Gregory Bourdy of France.

Fichardt began the final round tied for the lead with Van Zyl, but with four birdies in his first 13 holes Fichardt had pulled four shots clear. The 37-year-old stumbled towards the finish with bogeys at the 14th, 16th and 17th holes but Van Zyl was unable to close the gap sufficiently. When Van Zyl made a bogey at the closing hole, the title was secured for Fichardt. It was his fourth European Tour victory.

"This is one of my favourite tournaments. The golf course is second to none - you've got to hit a lot of knock down shots and irons off the tee," said Fichardt. "I always enjoy coming here, and obviously winning the tournament makes the week especially enjoyable."

Gregory Bourdy of France looked like he may challenge for the title when he made an eagle at the 3rd hole. But he cancelled the gain with two bogeys. He made three late birdies to catch Van Zyl and tie for second place.

Another home player, Garth Mulroy finished alone in fourth; two shot clear of four men in a tie for fifth. That group included England's Andy Sullivan.

Africa Open East London Golf Club, Eastern Cape, South Africa Feb 14 - 17, purse €1,000,000 par 72

1   Darren Fichardt (RSA)   69   67   65   71   272   €158,500 T2   Gregory Bourdy (Fra)   70   67   67   70   274   €92,100 T2   Jaco Van Zyl (RSA)   66   67   68   73   274   €92,100 4   Garth Mulroy (RSA)   72   67   69   67   275   €49,100 T5   Desvonde Botes (RSA)   74   67   66   70   277   €32,700 T5   Andy Sullivan (Eng)   70   70   69   68   277   €32,700 T5   Mark Tullo (Chi)      69   69   68   71   277   €32,700 T5   Tjaart Van der Walt (RSA) 70 68   68   71   277   €32,700 T9   Andrew Curlewis (RSA)   69   73   69   67   278   €19,700 T9   Emiliano Grillo (Arg)   70   71   64   73   278   €19,700 T9   Ricardo Santos (Por)   71   66   70   71   278   €19,700   

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage Where next? PGA Tour - John Merrick wins Northern Trust Open

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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