Schwartzel wins South Africa Open

Charl Schwartzel claimed his fourth European Tour title today after his final round 67 was good enough to help him secure the South Africa Open title in East London.

The South African, the highest ranked player in the field at 66 and one of the favourites heading into the tournament, ended with a total of 272 - 20 under par overall - to edge out co-overnight leader Thomas Aiken by a stroke.

Aiken, who shared the lead with Trevor Fisher Jr, failed to produce the promising form he showed earlier in the week, which included a pair of 67s and a 69 and had to settle for a 70 today.

Possibly his most decisive moment came on the par-four fifth hole, where he double bogeyed to slip back early in his round.

Another South African Jbe' Kruger finished in third place on 18 under after his day four score of 70, while Fisher Jr's 72 - the worst amongst the leaders - dropped him into a share of fourth place with Chris Swanepoel and the two highest placed foreigners in the field, Englishman James Morrison and Rick Kulacz from Australia.

Irishman Darren Clarke finished tied for 28th on 12-under-par, with Micheal Hoey five shots further back.