Immelman hangs on for Sun City win

Trevor Immelman fired a 71, his worst score of the weekend, but held on for his second title of 2003 at the Gary Player Country Club as Ireland’s Darren Clarke faded out of contention.

The South African claimed a one-stroke victory over countryman Andrew McLardy and American Bruce Vaughan.

Immelman, tied for the lead with Clarke on 11 under par through four holes on Saturday when darkness brought an end to play in the weather-interrupted tournament, returned at 6am today to finish his third round and he did so in style with a seven under par 65.

Immelman said: “I could handle playing 32 holes today, but being in contention for the last three weeks took a lot out of me.

“Coming down the stretch I was shaking and didn’t feel like myself.”

The 23-year-old won the South African Airways Open at the beginning of the year and finished joint second in the Dunhill Championship.

“With all the rain delays and early starts to the rounds, I’ve been up at 4:15 the last two days,” he explained.

McLardy could have spoiled his celebrations had he made a five-foot birdie putt at the 18th but he had to settle for a 65 and a share of second place with Vaughan.

Vaughan birdied the 15th and 16th and could have forced a play-off at the last but missed a 25-foot birdie putt.

Clarke’s challenge went astray at the 17th in his third round when he made a double bogey and ended up with a 69.

The Northern Irishman then dropped two shots at the third in his final round and then had bogeys on three of his last five holes to shoot 76 – his worst round of the weekend.

Nick Price had four birdies before the turn and then picked up shots at 10 and 11 but was unable to make up any ground the rest of the way and had to settle for a fourth-round 66, leaving him fourth for the tournament.

Justin Rose was tied with four others in 21st place. His penultimate round of four over was costly although he rebounded with a 69 to close out his tournament.