Sterne wins Joburg Open in record fashion

JOHANNESBURG

Richard Sterne broke a more than four-year win drought in emphatic fashion when he stormed to a seven-shot victory in the Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on Sunday.

Sterne won by the biggest margin in the history of this tournament, and also produced the lowest 72-hole total when he closed with a 64 to win on 27-under-par 260.

"That was probably the best final round of my career. It was quite special to finish the way I did," said Sterne, who added to his Joburg Open triumph in 2008.

The South African made only one bogey in 72 and was a dominant force on the final day. Starting the round tied for the lead with Trevor Fisher Jnr, Sterne birdied the first two holes, made three successive birdies from the sixth, birdied the 13th and then birdied his final two holes to win comfortably.
"I was never in trouble and made the right putts when I needed to."

It was an incredible performance from a player who last won on the European Tour in 2008, and then disappeared from the game because of a severe back injury. At one stage he never touched a club for eight months.

"After all the hard work and the time out with injury, I did think whether I was ever going to win again. At one point the pain was so bad that I even wondered if I'd ever play golf again. But now I know I can."

For all his experience, Sterne admitted to being nervous on the first tee. But two good tee shots on the first two holes settled him down, as did the resultant birdies.

Then he really felt the turning point come on the sixth hole. "I had a sneaky putt there and it was good to make after Trevor made bogey on the hole. It came at the right time to give me an advantage going into the back nine. Then I just wanted to keep my foot on the pedal and win by as many shots as I could."

Charl Schwartzel took second place on 20-under with a 66, while Fisher Jnr. slumped to a share of sixth with a closing 73.

Issued on behalf of the Joburg Open
By Michael Vlismas Media.
For more information please contact Michael Vlismas on +27 72 242 8399.