Ramsay wins South African Open Championship
December 20, 2009
PAARL, South Africa (AP)—Richie Ramsay of Scotland birdied the first hole of aplayoff to defeat Shiv Kapur of India and win the South African Open on Sunday.
Ramsay shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday to move past overnight leader PabloMartin of Spain, who shot a 73 at Jack Nicklaus-designed Pearl Valley. SunshineTour Order of Merit winner Anders Hansen of Denmark was a stroke back in thirdafter a 69.
Kapur finished with a 67 in the event sanctioned by the European andSunshine tours.
Ramsay had a putt on No. 18 to win the championship, but it went just left,forcing the playoff.
Kapur had to lay up in the playoff, also on No. 18, while Ramsay reached thegreen in two and his 15-foot eagle putt came up just short, enabling him to tapin.
“I had no thought of laying up, because I was so sure of myself over theshot,” Ramsay said.
The Scot took control at the 17th went he sent his approach over a waterhazard and landed it on the green to leave a 15-foot putt.
“I hit an 8-iron in, and I couldn’t believe it cleared the water,” hesaid. “My heart was in my mouth.”
Martin, who won last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, bogeyed the thirdand never recovered, managing only one birdie. A bogey at the 17th saw himfinish tied for sixth with Darren Fichardt of South Africa (66).
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10
