Oosthuizen captured the ‘big’ rivalry and Del Rey rounded out the top 10 at Leopard Creek

Louis Oosthuizen winning his last duel with his close friend and fellow South African Charles Schwartzel and won the Alfred Dunhill Championship this Monday raising his first title of European circuit in five years. Oosthuizen closed with a 69 to win by two, but only after a suspenseful finish in which he bogeyed the 17th hole and howled a long par putt on the 18th hole after visiting the water.

“I’m lucky,” he said. British Open champion in 2010, who finished with 18 under par (270 strokes). The outcome of the tournament was delayed a day after most of Sunday’s play was interrupted by a lightning storm.

Oosthuizen and green jacket Schwartzel, great champions and friends since their youth, went on to round the 8th hole tied for the lead – three shots ahead of their immediate pursuer, the South African too. Christiaan Bezuidenhout– and in pouring rain on him Leopard Creek Country Club, next to Kruger Park.

They were still tied with six holes remaining, when Oosthuizen made three birdies to move three strokes ahead. He putted one back on the 17th hole and reached 72, two strokes ahead of Schwartzel, but his tee shot hit the lake. Four on the green, Schwartzel had a birdie chance, however, Oosthuizen widened his putt and pumped his fist in the air, knowing he had achieved his tenth victory on the European tour and first since South African Open in December 2018. Schwartzel, looking to win the event for the fifth time, shot a 71 and finished in second place, two shots ahead of Bezuidenhout.

Alejandro del Rey from Madridwith a card of 70 strokes for 279 (-9), finished 7th and became the best Spaniard. Manuel Elvira he finished 32nd with 285.

Another tournament in Africa, the Mauritius Open, takes place this Thursday before the circuit takes a break until mid-January with tournaments in the Gulf region.