Morten Orum Madsen claimed the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club in Gauteng on Sunday for his maiden European win.
Belying his 244th world ranking the 25-year-old Dane won the EPGA’s opening Race To Dubai event by two shots after a final round 67 for a 19-under total of 269.
South Africa’s Jbe Kruger earned a share of second with a 65 to join his compatriot Hennie Otto at 17-under.
Another local hope, Carl Schwartzel, let slip his one-shot overnight lead in a fourth round marred by a triple-bogey at the par-three sixth.
The Johannesburg native, aiming to win the South African Open for the first time, made up some ground on the back nine, but signed for a 71 for fourth, on 16-under, with Marco Crespi of Italy.
Madsen described the outcome as “amazing” and added: “It’s a cliche to say it hasn’t sunk in — but it hasn’t.”
“I’m so happy. Coming here I expected to play well, but not to be standing here talking as the winner,” he said.
“It’s been an amazing day,” added Madsen, who had five birdies in all during a blemish-free round.
Despite going round with 2011 Masters champion and eight-time European Tour winner Schwartzel, Madsen said: “I definitely felt like I could still win, but he looked like he was going to go off and I was just trying to hang on, and maybe stay in two or three shots and give myself a chance.”
“I had a great back nine, but unfortunately for him he struggled,” he said. “On a couple of holes he had some bad breaks. Luckily for me I was there to capitalize, and I did with some nice birdies down the stretch.”
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